#this tour has been such a blast i had never really been a part of fob's community in real life at least not in a very long time

[wavernot4love]

in the wake of tourdust ending i compiled the different lil doodles i turned into stickers to bring to my different shows :]

did you find me at toronto/darien/camden?

[theemporium]

[1.7k] they want to believe jack when he says he has a girlfriend. they really do. it's just kind of hard to do so when they never see her. or, in which everyone is worried jack has found himself in a parasocial relationship.

.

“Fuck.” 

Jack raised his head, finding his attention drawn to his captain sitting on the aisle across from him on the bus. He watched as the man began patting himself down before he let out a sigh, standing up to reach for his bag on the overhead shelf. Yet, whatever he was trying to find was a fruitless endeavour as he settled back in his seat with a frown on his face.

“You good?” 

“Hm,” Nico hummed, letting out another long breath as he leaned back in his seat. “Yeah, I just forgot my headphones.”

“Nico Hischier not being organised?” Jack teased, a smile growing on his face. “Someone alert the authorities.”

Nico huffed out a laugh. “Ha. Ha. Ha.” 

“Just messin’ with you, cap,” Jack mused, deciding to be the better person and not point out the fact he could see Nico’s dimple even if the boy tried to act like he wasn’t laughing. “Here, I’ll share my music with you. Because I’m nice like that.”

The older boy raised his brows. “Your music for the full five hour drive?”

Jack raised his brows in return. “Do you have anything else better to do?”

“Fair enough,” Nico murmured before he reached over, taking the airpod and slipping it into his ear. “But I get to add some songs too.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Jack waved him off before handing over his phone. “Maybe try more English rap songs so I can understand them too, yeah?” 

“Sure, because I’m nice like that,” Nico said with a grin before he turned to shift his attention to Jack’s phone. He clicked on the queue, his brows furrowing slightly when he saw the songs lined up. “Huh.”

“What?”

“Nothing,” Nico murmured. “I just thought you were a country music kind of guy. Never thought you’d be into the rock scene.”

Jack’s cheeks burned as he let out a slightly strained laugh. “I was, uh, broadening my horizons.”

Nico turned to look at him. “So you chose one band? You know, I know a couple of bands if you want them—”

“I’m fine with that band,” Jack said, flashing his captain a smile. 

“You’ve liked every one of their songs.”

“Mhm.”

“So, you know you like the genre, at least. Maybe you should try—”

“I’m good.”

“Jack—”

“Start queuing songs before I take my phone back, Hisch.”

Nico stared at him for a few moments, noting the way he fidgeted in his seat with his cheeks flushed far brighter than they should be with the bus AC blasting. But, Nico decided he would be nice this time around and not bring it up.

Not yet, at least.

Plus the band Jack had chosen was pretty good, if he did say so himself.

...

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yourusername ready to rock north america❤️🖤

view all 13,738 comments

user i am going to the nashville show!!!

user she is THE moment

user omg i can't believe the tour has already started

user BKEWBFJBWEKFBKWEJBF

jackhughes congrats on the tour!! ur gonna kill it!!❤️‍🔥

user JACK HUGHES????

user who the fuck is jack hughes?

...

“What are you giggling at?”

“I’m not giggling at anything.” 

Luke narrowed his eyes. “You literally giggled as you said that.”

“Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Unfortunately for Luke, this had been a recurring conversation over the last few weeks because, despite what he said, Jack spent the better part of his free time giggling at his phone. It was sickening and annoying and Luke was so done with trying to scroll through TikTok with his brother snickering like some teenage girl in the background. 

It was starting to grate on his last nerve.

“You’re so full of shit,” Luke grumbled as he shoved a spoonful of cereal into his mouth, narrowing his eyes on his big brother from over the kitchen counter. 

“Maybe you should find someone to text and stop bothering me,” Jack retorted, the words slipping past his lips so casually, almost like he hadn’t realised what he said. 

But Luke heard loud and clear.

He straightened up in his seat, his annoyance now replaced with curiosity and he flashed his brother an inquisitive look. “Who are you messaging that has you giggling?” 

“I am not giggling,” Jack huffed out before he lifted his head, finally looking away from his phone screen to catch his brother’s gaze. “And, for your information, I am texting my girlfriend.” 

A few moments of silence passed as both boys stared at each other.

Luke blinked. “When the fuck did you get a girlfriend?” 

“It’s new,” Jack said with a casual shrug of his shoulders. 

Luke’s eyes narrowed. “How new?” 

“Just a couple of months or so,” Jack murmured, at least having the guts to look a little sheepish as a light blush spread across his cheeks. 

“Months?!” Luke repeated with a scoff, the bowl of cereal he was snacking on now long forgotten. “How come this is the first time I’m hearing of it?” 

“We are keeping things private!” Jack defended. 

“I’m your brother!” Luke retorted. “You’re meant to tell me shit. I’d tell you if I had a girlfriend! Quinn would tell me if he had a girlfriend!” 

“But neither of you do,” he snapped back with a shit-eating grin. 

“And you supposedly do,” Luke muttered, shaking his head. “What’s her name?” 

“That’s not important.”

Luke blinked. “Uh, yeah, dude, I think it is.” 

Jack shrugged again. “Maybe I don’t want you to know.” 

“Why not?” Luke questioned, watching his brother just shrug again—not that he was getting fucking sick of that or anything—before he glared. “Is it someone I know?” 

“Maybe.” 

“You’re being ridiculously vague right now and it’s annoying as fuck,” Luke told him. 

Jack’s grin widened. “I know!” 

“Fine, keep your stupid secrets,” Luke grumbled as he reached for his spoon again, rolling his eyes when he heard Jack laughing. “Like I fucking care anyways.” 

But he did. 

He really fucking did and he would find out who this secret girlfriend was if it’s the last thing he did. 

...

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yourusername las vegas, you ALWAYS make me feel at home❤️🖤

view 12,930 comments

user MOTHER!!!

user hot AND talented. your fav could never

user new music when!!!

user THE SHIRT-

jackhughes ur so pretty😍😍😍

user not this guy again

user not a man

notzegrasipromise JACK???

...

...

“Yeah, I mean, I love my parents but I wish my girlfriend could’ve made it out. It would have been nice to have her here for the family skate too.” 

That was all it took for the hustling and bustling of the locker room to come to a screeching halt. 

Jack frowned, his hands holding his jersey in his hand that he had just taken off as he glanced around the room. All of the boys were giving him different looks: some concerned, some amused, some confused. It was throwing him off. 

“Uh, what?” 

“You have a girlfriend?” It was Dawson who eventually asked, his brows furrowed together in questioning.

“Yeah,” Jack nodded, feeling an odd sense of deja vu from the conversation he had with Luke a few weeks ago. “Geez, I didn’t realise we had to announce stuff like this now.”

“I mean,” Jesper spoke up, shrugging his shoulders. “We’re close, yeah? We usually just tell each other these things. You’ve never mentioned her before.”

“Don’t bother asking for her name,” Luke grumbled from the other side of the locker room.

“She’s not coming to the family skate?” Nico questioned, focusing the attention back to Jack who simply shrugged.

“She travels a bunch for work,” Jack explained. “Or, at least, for right now. She’s out in Nashville right now so she couldn’t make it.”

“But I thought you were all over that rockstar girl,” Simon spoke up from his stall, leaning back against the cubby, half dressed and legs spread. “Every time I open Twitter, I see it.”

Jack’s cheeks burned. 

Jesper gave him a disapproving look. “Don’t tell me you’ve been commenting on another girl’s instagram when you have a girlfriend. What does she think about it?”

“She likes them!” Jack defended. 

Jesper frowned. “I find that hard to believe.”

“Yeah, you’re kind of desperate on instagram,” Simon continued with a snort.

“Well, she hasn’t told me to stop,” Jack huffed.

“Yes, because a rockstar with a couple of million followers would personally reach out to stop you,” Luke drawled, a heavy layer of sarcasm dripping from his words.

“She would, considering she is my girlfriend.”

Once again, the locker room fell silent.

“You’re fucking shitting me,” Luke eventually spoke up, shaking his head. “You really think we believe that you pulled her?” 

Jack frowned. “What’s so hard to believe about that?”

“She’s an international rockstar and you’re just a dude who plays hockey,” Luke retorted. 

“So are you!” 

“Yeah, and I’m not sitting here trying to tell people I’m dating Taylor Swift, am I?”

“This is different,” Jack huffed before looking around the room. “I’m dating her! I really am! We met at that rock bar in Jersey City a couple of months ago and we’ve been chatting ever since.”

The boys all gave each other various looks.

“Fine, don’t believe,” Jack grumbled as he leaned down to start untying his skates. “I know I’m telling the truth. It’s not my fault you don’t believe me.”

For the record, only Jim and Ellen Hughes showed up to the New Jersey Devils’ family skate. 

...

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yourusername east coast, we are coming for you!!❤️🖤

view all 14,737 comments

user i cannot believe the tour is almost over

user NEW MUSIC WHEN

user i'm seeing you in eight days!!!!

user oh my god she is so hot

jackhughes coming back to the better coast❤️🖤

user omg he is copying the hearts too

user he is delusional

user it is the devils colours

user you sound just as delusional as him

...

“So, I’ve been talking to Luke.” 

“Oh great,” Jack grumbled as he sunk further into the pillows of the living room couch.

“And I went on Twitter.”

“You must have been pretty bored to redownload it,” Jack commented, suddenly finding interest in the strings of his hoodie, instead of his brother’s face on the phone screen. He should have known it was odd when Quinn messaged to check he was home alone before he called.

“Jack.” 

“Don’t look at me like that,” Jack whined as he tried to hide himself deeper into his hoodie. “Whatever Luke told you is bullshit.”

“So you’re not telling people you’re dating an international rock sensation?” 

“Well, I’m not telling everyone,” Jack corrected. “But I am dating her!”

“Uh huh.”

“Not you too,” Jack groaned, throwing his head back and finding his gaze locked on some random part of the ceiling. “Quinn, why would I lie about this?” 

“Because you took a rough hit to the head.”

His head quickly snapped down to glare at his older brother who had the audacity to smirk in response. 

“We’re just worried, Jack. You don’t mention a single thing about talking to her. Then you’re showing up in her comments. And then you’re claiming to date her. All whilst playing and training like normal.”

Jack rolled his eyes.

“It’s fine if you have a little crush or something but—”

“She isn’t just a crush, she’s my girlfriend,” Jack repeated for the umpteenth time. “You’ll see soon.”

Quinn didn’t look awfully convinced  but he knew better than to push Jack on the matter any further. He instead shifted the conversation to a power play from the game before and, thankfully, Jack took the bait. In fact, he was far too busy rambling to even notice Quinn typing out a message straight to Luke. 

quinnifer: ur right 

quinnifer: he’s a fucking lost cause

...

liked by jackhughes and 983,373 others

yourusername tour was a dream but happy to finally come home to you jackhughes ❤️🖤

view all 37,373 comments

jackhughes glad to have my girl home❤️🖤

user WHAT

user a hard launch post tour??? oh she is sick

user i can't believe we lost her to a man

user IS THIS NOT THE HOCKEY DUDE

user omg he actually stood a chance

trevorzegras WHAT THE FUCK

trevorzegras WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK

user omg one sings rock and the other plays at the rock

user IT WAS WRITTEN IN THE STARS

lhughes_06 holy shit

_quinnhughes didn't see that one coming

trevorzegras HOW WHAT WHEN WHERE WHY

user i think hockey dude broke his hockey friend

jackhughes he will be fine

trevorzegras NO HE WILL NOT BE FINE

trevorzegras ANSWER YOUR PHONE ROWDY

jackhughes leave me alone, i'm trying to spend time with my girlfriend

yourusername it's true :) very little clothes included

trevorzegras i'm going to go throw myself off a cliff

user what the fuck did i just wake up to

.

[mxdarling]

[first years]

INFORMATION:

-> the lovely batch of first-year students, their appearances scream youthful glow and rebellious nature. as you get to know them throughout your school year, you'll start to realize that, they all share the same inexperienced approach towards love.

(masterlist) - (second years | third years)

INTRODUCTIONS:

MARCH 7TH | TOUR GUIDE & PHOTOGRAPHER

-> she is a cheerful girl who has the honor of serving as your tour guide on your first day. from what you can gather from your classmates, she's an overly friendly and cute girl who's part of the photography club and is considered one of the best of the best in the club. plus her association with the organization "astral express" as a member, her name has reached many ears. she's one of the members that people consider to be the most approachable.

[ "hello, new student! it is i, march 7th, your lovely tour guide for today! i'll make sure your first day will be a blast!" ]

CAELUS | TWO RACOONS IN A POD

-> an awkward guy who doesn't say much, but he's definitely a chaotic fellow who tends to go head first, then think. he isn't exactly related to stelle, his friend and classmate, but many people have already assumed they were twins. not just because of their similar appearances but because of their personalities too. both he and stelle have a strange behavior of rummaging through many trash cans on the school grounds. working alongside march 7th and stelle in the organization "astral express,"  people say he, stelle, march, and dan heng are inseparable.

[ "awh.. nothing good in this one.. oh- hi! would you like to join me in trash hunt finding?" ]

STELLE | TWO RACOONS IN THE POD

-> also an awkward gal who doesn't say much, but she's much more sassier—perhaps even a bit easier to provoke than her supposed "twin." time and time again, she's told people that she and caelus aren't blood related whatsoever, but they never really drop it; both she and caelus have a strange behavior of rummaging through many trash cans on the school grounds. working alongside march 7th and caelus in the organization "astral express,"  people say she, caelus, march, and dan heng are inseparable.

[ "hey! caelus and i had a bet who's better at this game, wanna help me beat his ass?" ]

ASTA | HEAD OF THE ASTRONOMY CLUB

-> one of the more popular freshmen, her sweet personality and pretty appearance have put her in quite the spotlight among her peers, plus her family's pockets are deeper than your debts. lots of people have speculated about her relationship with arlan, but she insists nothing is ever beyond friends between them (which some have a hard time believing). due to her diligent and serious nature towards astronomy, she has been appointed as the head of the astronomy club. as of now, she and arlan are working under the name of "herta's research station".

[ "i need this thesis done by tonight and after that i- oh! hello there! i apologize for the mess, i haven't got the time to clean up..." ]

ARLAN | HEAD OF THE SECURITY DEPARTMENT

-> the quiet, intimidating looking guy who sits at the back of the class. you could say he's the exact opposite of his friend, asta, who's popular and friendly-looking to their peers. some were even surprised that he was a friend of hers and started speculating about the status of their "friendship," and like asta, he too has denied anything that went beyond platonic. he was tasked with being the head of the security department because of his excellent fighting skills and his hypervigilance towards his surroundings. as of now, he and asta are working under the name of "herta's research station".

[ "please.. be careful around this parts, it's better to have a friend or someone from the security department go with you..." ]

LI SUSHANG | CLUMSY SWORDFIGHTER

-> an enthusiastic and naive girl who firmly believes in the philosophy of "be eager to help those in need." her swordsmanship skills reflect her title as a newcomer to the swordfighting club, but there's still a long way to go before she can truly perfect her skills and capabilities and maybe get a spot in the "clouds knights". many have pointed out that she and guinaifen are often seen trying out one of guinaifen's performing arts and going on a trip to the nurse's office. sometimes it's her who's in bad shape, sometimes it's guinaifen who's in bad shape, or sometimes even both are in bad shape!

[ "one day, my name will go down in history as a legend from the cloud knights! you'll be there when i reach my goal, right?" ]

GUINAIFEN | SWORD ARTS PERFORMER

-> described as a passionate and vivacious young girl, and just in her first year alone, she's gained a high number of fans and followers due to being a street performer. usually, after classes, she can be seen at the back of the academy performing stunts and tricks for students and teachers alike. on special occasions, she collabs with her best friend, sushang, during her performances. though, it seems nearly impossible to not see at least one of them injured after performing. they probably spend more time in the nurse's office than all their classes combined.

[ "hello! hello! welcome all to little gui's performance and lucky you, i've chosen you to be my little guest for today!" ]

SILVER WOLF | THE LONE GAMER

-> the one who skips classes the most, the few times she does attend classes, is if the other "stellaron hunters" are present, and the other three also rarely ever attend their own classes. many have attempted to try and find her when they were tasked with fetching the little troublemaker, yet give up each time. it's like she's always just out of the reach of everyone in the academy, and when they do actually get a hold of her, she completely ignores them in favor of her video games.

[ "can't you see i'm in the middle of a game? this boss fight is particularly difficult and i need to fight it in peace." ]

PLEASE DO NOT COPY, REPOST, SHARE, TRANSLATE OR REUPLOAD ANY OF MY WORKS TO OTHER SITES WITHOUT MY PERMISSION + REBLOGS AND COMMENTS ARE APPRECIATED.

[steelstreqq]

pov i revive an old project from 2021 because i watched one sorry boys video

this is the 'rustout au', its a combination of TWD, fallout 4, and rust but i shoved silly block men (and ted nivison) in it. essentially its a zombie apocalypse au that takes place at some time in the 80s or 90s following a nuclear fallout that occurred due to undisclosed government activities with foreign global superpowers. none of the normal civilians really know why the nukes went off and only a few of the most wealthy in the community really were able to get down to the bunkers in time

there are a ton of characters i want to include in this au, but considering i made this in the peak of the dsmp fandom i have to be kinda careful to not pick out any ccs who are still a part of dream's posse.. :pensive:

so far, the other characters in this au who aren't displayed here are fundy, techno, philza, bizly, grizly, condi, connor, jack, eret, and a few others i cant think of rn >_<

some character information below ^-^

WILBUR G. SOOT - the widowed father to fundy. wilbur lived in a house in a suburban neighborhood with his teen aged son before the nukes went off. once the initial fallout occurred, will and fundy had an argument about where they should shelter. the day after the argument, wilbur awoke to find fundy had completely disappeared. grief stricken at the loss of another family member (under the impression that he was the reason fundy had 'ran off'), wilbur risked his safety to search for his son, traveling from settlement to settlement. he hated himself and blamed himself for his son's disappearance. by this point, he wanted to lie in the dirt and rot with the corpse of the land below him

TOMMY ZA - the adoptive son of phil, a single child. tommy was at school during the blasts, thus he was separated from his father. he and the rest of his school were ushered to the basement following the explosions to protect them from fallout. when given the all clear, tommy ran down barren streets to find his way home, and never did. too frantic and unable to navigate his way properly, he became stranded and lost. the crushing anxiety of being alone seemed to summon a taller man with a guitar case from a local town. he had found himself wandering into tommy's neighborhood. and therein, an alliance was formed.

"RANBOO" - ranboo is a mysterious creature who doesn't really appreciate questions about his history. tommy and wilbur found him a month or two into constructing their own settlement. ranboo was found uncomfortably asleep in a cramped car not far off from Dome. he was rudely awakened with a violent mugging from tommy. wilbur caught up to the shorter brit and apologized for his actions, suggesting that ranboo could stay at their camp as compensation for the troubles that tommy had brought to ranboo. ranboo reluctantly agreed and now is a part of the dome's settlement. tommy speculates ranboo is secretly a mentally mutated creature-freak-thing and must be put down immediately, ranboo just wants to eat dinner in peace.

CHARLIE SICKLE - charlie is the latest member to join the settlement. the former front man for the hit pop group Roll With You. during an england tour, the nukes went off and front man charlie had been stranded during his burger lunch break. separated from the rest of his band mates. charlie has faced deterioration in his mental state due to the stress of surviving during such a gruesome time period. by the time wilbur finds himself at the receiving end of charlie's gun, he is already unhinged. wilbur manages to talk charlie into submission carefully, and decides to see if he can form a fragile alliance with charlie for some sort of twisted protection. charlie agrees, as he is so *sick* of being alone. charlie simply insists he is just a silly billy, everybody else thinks hes clinically insane

DOME- dome is a passive settlement founded by wilbur soot to bring in local survivors and give them a small and safe community to rebuild humanity. although this is a large goal in such a hostile and dangerous situation, tommy gives wilbur hope to keep going. who knows, maybe while scouting for survivors, they could stumble across phil or fundy

TED - ted is a serial killer, plain and simple. hired by schlatt to be a bodyguard after the fallout, ted had escaped his cinder block hell to essentially be a guard dog thanks to the nukes. it turns out prisons arent explosion-proof. ted is silent, he doesnt speak much, but he has a clear cut focus on what he wants. when he does speak, he talks clearly and normally. mostly, about his travels with his good buddy 'eddie nine pins', whom he apparently did everything with before getting caught

J. SCHLATT - schlatt is a larger than life business mogul, the ceo of a handful of companies that produce clothes, products, music, etc. hes an incredibly creative and intuitive man who knows how to get what he wants. he is the forefront leader of his settlement in the bunker. schlatt is falsely married to quackity, both of them agreeing to commit marriage fraud when they initially entered the world of entrepreneurship as it looks better and improves both of their charisma in social situations. their 'marriage' is entirely superficial and loveless, purely for aesthetics

A. QUACKITY - you might say quackity is a strange last name, he'd tell you to mind your own business and call you poor in two different languages. quackity runs a small 'medicine' dealing business on the surface. in exchange for fancy goods and food, quackity will give out medicine to needy survivors with no real idea of what any of it does. indirectly, quackity has killed 15+ people with his medication and harmed countless others. he doesnt feel bad, as long as he gets something out of it. he's been spoiled by his previously lavish life and just can't stand to let it all go

TOBY "TUBBO" SCHLATT - tubbo is the adoptive son of schlatt. while schlatt opted to adopt tubbo purely for aesthetics, just as he did with his marriage, he ended up getting somewhat attached to the little guy (and so did quackity). adopted at the age of 13, tubbo was quickly exposed to the inside mechanisms of business, the lying and cheating that goes on behind the retina and he has no interest in becoming a mogul like his father. rather, he opts for weapon studies and collecting a massive arsenal of different types of guns and bombs. tubbo sees the fallout as more of a playground than anything, being able to collect and test as many 'toys' as he wants. tubbo and tommy have crossed paths on several occasions, wherein they both will have a bit of a scuffle until theyre tired, then sit and talk. they consider each other friends, and neither of them know of the conflict between schlatt and wilbur

THE BUNKER - the bunker was once a safe haven for the one percent in england, but only a week into shelter, everybody was slaughtered. quackity and schlatt performed a hostile takeover of the bunker for no greater reason than the fact they wanted more space and more liberties. theyve now claimed the entire bunker as their home, and they want to see how far they can expand their power and control.

if youve made it this far, thx so much for reading it means the WORLD to me.. ill be posting abt this au alongside my other projects like claymore hills and the sanatorium au (which also was a 2021 thing!!)

heres a playlist i made for the rustout au if anybody is as interested in music as i am

thanks sm again, likes and reblogs are both appreciated ^-^ asks are open and heavily encouraged if you wanna know more :DD i know dsmpblr is a little dead but maybe mcytblr might like this, u never know if u dont try so ill take shot in the dark ^-^

note: NONE of these characters should be confused with the CCs. they are loosely based off of real interactions and projects but are entirely FICTIONAL in this universe. i do not support the actions of content creators such as dream, george, sapnap, punz, and many others associated with dream thus they will NOT be in this project. thank you.

[magnoliahwrites]

Lean On Me (Don’t Knock Me Over)

or: harry is a touring musician and you're here to interview him

feat: childhood friendship, flashbacks, friends to enemies to lovers,mention of panic attack/anxiety/puking

note: this is part one of a three-shot. Side note: I made up names for harry’s band, it’s an up and coming pop punk band so there’s that

Much like most things in life, when the paper slid through your desk, you immediately shoved it under the outgoing mail box.

anything that causes you stress immediately went there, a future problem for yourself.

It wasn't until the night before the show, when your manager turned best friend, Cindy sat in front of you tapping her new manicure on the desk in front of you that you even remembered it.

"I just don't see the big deal," she huffs, stopping the tapping of her nails long enough to push her blonde hair out of her eyes, "like, you two were kids. He probably doesn't even remember you. And besides, I have three people lined up who would literally kill you for this chance."

You groan, resisting the urge to fling your body on the floor and ahve a full body temper tantrum.

Instead, you act like an adult and throw a mini fit, throwing your head back and shoving the papers away from you.

"he'll remember me." you groan, rubbing your temples, "It was a small town."

"Good," Cindy shrugs, "Make him regret it, or whatever."

she pauses, and her voice drops, some of the hard that radiates off of her melts away for a second.

"I don't see what the big deal is still," she says quietly, "What happened?"

You remember the first time you heard him on the radio.

Driving down a crowded street in Cindy's car (the kind you could never even think of affording) the sun roof down, your hand out the window as the radio blasts, the sun beating down on your hand.

"This is 93.9 playing the hottest hits of the summer! To begin, we have a new single from Kennedy Curse, sure to get stuck in your head. They're new to the scene, but singer-"

Cindy all but squeals, leans forward to turn the dial on the radio up louder, "I love this band. l've been trying to get an interview with them for weeks.”

You snort as you drum your thumbs on the steering wheel, "Can't imagine it would be hard to get an interview with them-"

"Shh!" She hushes you, leans forward and turns the volume up until the car shakes under you.

"Chipped paint, Carol's gonna turn into dust-"

it was a reflex, a knee jerk reaction, something you couldn't stop. before you even knew what you were doing, you were leaning forward in your seat, slamming your hand against the volume button, immediately a silence falls over the two of you.

Cindy knows you've mentioned in passing an ex boyfriend, a singer, but haven't really elaborated on it. Now, it seems like you don't need to.

"So you'll do it?"

Cindy is all but squirming in her seat as she brings you back to the current.

The sigh is all the confirmation Cindy knows, letting out an ear piercing squeal again, "You won't regret it, i promise!"

She gets up to make her an escape, mentions something about transportation-

"I'll do it, but there has to be rules in place-" You're rubbing your temples, a headache already on the horizon, but Cindy isn't listening, long gone as she stops everyone in the hallway to mention the interview with the Kennedy Curse.

Backstage, harry fixes his hair in a broken mirror.

Something about ten years of bad luck, but he rations that's the problem for the person who broke it, not him-

A stage hand, over worked and underpaid, sticks his head backstage: "harry, Ten minutes.

Someone's here to see you-"

And the show is on.

The smirk finds his way to the corner of his lips, and it's game on. the harry who had a panic attack in the back room five minutes ago is long gone, definitely didn't puke into the garbage can earlier because of the nerves. Instead, it's now replaced by the harry he wants everyone to see; confident, cocky, bold-

"Fans already-"

And he rounds the corner and almost hits you with the door.

he speaks first. A reflex, like he's been searching for the name for months or years, waiitng for it to fall onto his lips again-

he speaks before he can stop himself, before he can hate himself for it he speaks before he can stop himself, before he can hate himself for it.

"Birdie."

The low whistle follows, some bird card be always associated with the nickname, for you always singing with him-even if you insisted you were bad.

it falls flat, feels wrong.

Not the cute nickname it was before, when you two would lie in the shared two sized mattress, harry’s feet falling off the edge of the bed, the sheets thrown over both of your heads for security;

“Birdie," he'd say, his voice low, eyelids heavy. even half asleep, the whistle followed, "I promise, to keep your side of the bed warm, always."

Under the sheets was vows between the two of you, the sillier the better, most of the time, but the hushed voices always told the truth.

Instead, you spoke back, his fingers over your lips, calloused from the non stop practicing, the yanking the garage door open at all hours of the night to practice: "I could find you in a crowd."

He laughs; it's lazy and low, like you both have all the time in the world, and he opens his mouth to say something about his height, but it lays heavy in the air as he kisses the crown of your head:

"And i'll always find you, Birdie."

Seeing him is jarring, to say the least.

The last visit was less than good, yelling and tears (from both of you) things said in the heat of the moment that keeps you both up and tossing and turning-

"It's just my normal name now, thanks." You say quickly, hoping it's dark enough backstage that he can't see the red spread across your face.

"Right," he nods, smirks as he leans against the wall, crosses his arms over his chest, "Well, birdie, I gotta say, you got a lot of nerve to wanna hear me sing after you tossed us into the gutter."

You snort, "Still the victim. i see nothings changed."

"Hilarious," he laughs without humor, takes a step toward you, eyes narrowed, that stupid fucking smirk still pulls at the side of his lips, "I see you're still following me around, hm?"

"God, I can't say I missed this. You're still an insufferable asshole-"

"An asshole you paid to see. So tell me, birdie, which of my songs do you like, hm? Still-"

You want to smack the smirk off his face. You dig your fingernails into your palm into you're sure they're going to bleed, leaving little half crescent moons in the middle of your palms, the same ones he use to study, trace over and commit to memory, kiss them better.

In some sick way, you were hoping you'd see each other and he'd apologize, come home-

"I'm just here for the interview," You shake the VIP lanyard around your neck in his face, "And then you never have to see me again."

His eyes dart to the lanyard and back to you, and for a second, he looks almost lost, like something hangs in the air that he wants to say-

"You have five minutes."

You snort, take the pencil from behind your ear,

"I'll make it two. We won't act like these are some deep songs of yours or anything-"

A local nobody band is opening, the drums are heavy and loud backstage, and the ponding begins the second you open your mouth, like it's planned.

harry leans in closer, grabs you by your elbow,

"Let's make a deal, birdie."

You act like you don't hear the low whistle fall out after the nickname.

"Listen-"

he cuts you off, "You listen to us and i'll do the interview, no bitching, after the show. we can go to the bus-"

the look you throw him is irritated and he huffs, holds his hands in the air, "Fine. I'll take you to a fuckin' restraaunt. I'll be on my best behavior, i'll have your manager eating out of your hand after this interview. Scouts honor."

He makes a show of crossing over his heart, holds his hand open in the air.

The smirk never leaves his face, even when your eyes narrow as he sets his hand between you two.

"Deal, birdie?"

You don't speak, eyes narrowed, but your hand slides into his like it never left.

It feels like you're making a deal with the devil.

[correctthroam]

I read THROAM for the first time in ~5 years. Here's what I have to say.

Volume I: There was so many characters I forgot about when going into the fic. Pete, Jac, Spencers family. I cant believe I forgot them. Pete will always be a fave because everyone hates him and it makes me laugh. The first volume was always my 2nd favorite, I think it still is. overall, the storyline isn't complicated and I like that. Ryan is such an asshole so I dont feel bad for him one bit in any of the fic. Also, I used to say that the bus crash was Brendons fault (I was 13, okay?) But Ryan was just an unstable motherfucker who truly should not be trusted to drive a vehicle of any kind.

Volume II: holy shit. I hate volume two. Not saying the writing is bad but Jesus Christ, Ryan is an asshole. bro literally stalked Brendon after he ran into him at that party like what? I had messaged a friend after finishing volume 2, saying "I'm a really nice person I never wanna make people feel sad, let alone make a whole fictional story about someone being severely depressed and unstable whilst chasing a boy then fucking his bf at the end???" and I think that perfectly sums up how I feel (and always felt) about volume two. other than the fact that I used to say that it was Brendons fault. (I was 13. THIRTEEN) it wasn't his fault. Some parts were, yeah, but it's hard to pinpoint everything that happened on one person. at the end of the day, its a good story I just Hate it (does that make sense) I love it but I hate it? it remains my least favorite purely for the pain it put me through.

Volume III: I love this volume. I always have. Sisky is amazing, we all love Sisky. I will say the iconic song/album references/jokes made me cringe a bit, though. Im not exactly sure what about this fic I always liked so much, I guess you can really see Ryans character growth and finally not be as much as a miserable fuck (he's still unstable dw) Since Ryan is less insufferable, it makes the volume more enjoyable. I like that Spencer and Ryan became friends again, I think it makes the book more enjoyable and tbh I think Spencer rly tied vol 3 together, if he wasn't part of it it would lowk suck. overall, best volume cant wait to host the throam tour where we go to hotel Chelsea then machias.

final thoughts: if I thought throam was 100% good when I was 13, Id say now that I think throam is about 85% good now. (does that make sense pt 2) this fic has sent me back into being 13 and I have been blasting some pretty. odd. (im listening to it rn as im typing this) and listening to this album just makes my life feel more simple. still a solid fic, I think it would be an amazing published book. and I think we can all agree that it would be amazing to see THROAM movies (in our dreams)

Thanks for reading lol

[subtle-as-an-earthquake]

i am finally home and i'm pretty knackered but aaaahhh what a weekend!! ✨✨ so much happened in such a short amount of time, i'm still processing i think (also some personal stuff, that i won't bore you with). but yeah, the shows were absolutely epic, they were such good crowds for london standards. very rowdy but overall the atmosphere was amazing, and tbh that's probably in part because miles just exudes such incredible energy himself, if you ask me

just a little snippet of don't forget who you are from yesterday (night two) to illustrate:

also, a few random things i'm remembering now (which i'll put under the cut because i apparently remembered more than i thought):

miles seemed really really into it both nights, and really centered somehow? he was clearly having a blast and had everyone eating out of the palm of his hand, he's just SUCH an incredible showman. that's nothing new of course, but I was once again struck by just how very special and awe inspiring and just incredibly fun it is to watch him do his thing on stage. no one does it like miles fucking kane, baby

also, there were so many men in the audience who were just really letting go during the show, hugging their mates and singing the lyrics at each other, even full on crying when miles played colour of the trap (not even kidding, actual tears streaming down their faces). i don't think i've ever seen that at another gig to that extent, really. miles and his music seem to have - for want of a better phrase - a sort of liberating effect on a lot of men that's really nice to witness

on night one miles slipped on a spilled drink on stage and took a little tumble, but he recovered like a king and honestly it just made him look even cooler somehow lol

his arms and shoulders......... are sooooooo...... 🔥🔥🔥 dear fucking lord. his shoulders are broader than ever and honestly it was very hard to concentrate on anything else 🫠

after the show, we were chatting to ben for a bit who was just the sweetest and again talked about how he was a fan first (of arctic monkeys and tlsp and miles) and then sort of organically came to be a part of the band, and has just been having the time of his life so far! we were still chatting to him when miles came out after night 1, and when everyone started whooping, ben started screaming 'aaaaaahhh miles!!!' really loudly as a joke, before starting an impromptu chorus of the don't forget who you are 'la la la' that everyone joined in on. it was pretty hilarious

liam was super sweet too, and when he learned that i was dutch he was like 'oh we're playing a show in holland next week!' so i was like 'i know, i'm going!' and then he offered to put me on the guestlist, which was very kind of him even though i already have tickets lmao. he and ben both were very excited for that show for some reason, which made me even more excited as well!!

after night two ben and liam shared a massive hug outside and they both seemed really emotional, which was very sweet to see 🥺

nathan is the loveliest man alive. he said this tour was definitely the best one yet because the energy's just been amazing! he also asked us what are favourite album and song of the night was (his own fave was never taking me alive) and when I mentioned i just loved the bassline in coup de grace so much, he said it was as fun to play as it sounds, and that on the album it was actually miles who played it (that's probably common knowledge, but i didn't know!)

he also said that the band really is very close and they're all equals, and miles always says "we", and that he really is as kind and lovely as he seems 🥺 i mean, we knew that, but it was still really lovely to hear!

and of course, miles was once again just the most wonderful, gracious man ever with his fans, chatting to as many people as he could and taking pics with them and cooing at turtle paraphernalia, all while looking and smelling absolutely diviiiiine. he did seemed pretty knackered though, especially after night two, but that makes sense i think. and yet he still came out! truly a hero

as for my own chat with him, i for some reason went up to him like 'hiiiiiiiiiiiii' with my hands held out to him (idk man), and he just reciprocated my enthusiasm and took my hands and then held them and looked me in the eye while i rambled at him about how incredible i thought the show and he himself were, and he was just completely lovely, as always 🥺 such an angel

oh and finally, maxie is apparently staying with miles's mum while miles is on tour 🥺

i'm sure i'm forgetting things but this is already long enough 🙈 going to catch some zzz's now, i need them after this weekend

[smolwritingchick]

I'm Here

Summary: Jennie comforts Jungkook when he nearly faints from exhaustion during the Wings Tour. This will take place during Burn The Stage

Author's Note: I have been thinking of Burn The Stage when Jungkook overwhelmed himself on stage. Perhaps a private moment between JenKook filmed while they weren't aware and when it makes it on the show it could be a viral JenKook moment and show fans that their love and care for each other is undeniable. Brainstorming like usual.

Some smol angst but ends fluffy. And like always for this, the commentary/interview parts of the show are in parenthesis

-----

Jennie (Shit…it was so hard to keep my emotions in check on stage when my boyfriend nearly fainted from exhaustion. When I tell you I was losing it and tried my hardest to finish the concert…I…that night was rough for me. I'm just a kid you know and being in this group has been so fun and rewarding. Touring has been a blast but seeing my loved ones in that state during this fun time…I just felt so helpless when I saw him like that…all I wanted to do was remain by his side.)

Hearing the news that Jungkook collapsed caused the breath to be knocked out of Jennie's lungs as her heart rate quickened. As soon as the show was over and he was on the floor backstage while the staff cooled him down, everyone rushed to get an update on his condition.

When the staff heard Jungkook murmur Jennie's name, they announced that he was asking for her and she immediately ran past everyone to be by his side.

She was scared as she watched the staff assist him and fan him down. She had never seen him in this state before and began to feel overwhelmed.

"Hey…hey…I'm here. I'm here," she said in a soothing voice as her chest tightened.

Hearing her voice caused Jungkook to smile with his eyes still closed. The way he immediately began to feel at ease as he was getting cooled down was a good sign as the members observed the way he reacted to her.

Jimin smiled softly as he watched Jungkook squeeze her hand lightly when she grabbed it for a moment. That was another good sign that he was going to be ok.

Jungkook (I didn't know I'd collapse like that. It's the first time that happened to me. I was very flustered. But all I wanted was to hear my girlfriend's voice. Hearing her talk to me gave me comfort as I was recovering)

Jimin (Jennie truly loves Jungkook. She always does her best to take care of him. That night she was really worried.)

J-Hope (She stayed by his side the entire time until he was able to get back on his feet.)

Once he was cooled down, Jungkook continued to rest while Jennie was alone with him in the room while a camera filmed them from afar while they weren't aware. She sat on the floor by his side as she watched him.

Unable to hold it in, she began crying. "Kook…" she called out in a shaky voice.

She caressed his face as he leaned into her touch, enjoying the coolness of her hand with his eyes closed.

"Did I worry you?" he asked tiredly. "I'm sorry…"

"Don't be. It's okay. What matters is that you're okay. Just please…please just slow down. ARMY will appreciate everything you do on the stage. No matter what. I just want you to be all right and not overexert yourself like this,"

"I'll take it more easy,"

"Glad to hear,"

"I could really use your cookies, right now," he sighed as he rested.

She suddenly laughed and sniffed. "I bet my cookies would give you those bonus health points, huh? The fact that you're thinking of my baking at a time like this,"

He chuckled lightly at her reply.

"I will bake you whatever you want," she added. "Just rest up and stay hydrated first, okay? I love you…so much…I just want you to be OK,"

"I love you, too. I am now with you by my side,"

She leaned down to kiss him softly, keeping her lips against his for a moment before pulling away.

"Can you keep talking to me? Talk about smarties or Marvel. I just want to keep hearing your voice. It's comforting,"

She chuckled softly and nodded as she started to ramble, fulfilling his request. "I'm really enjoying sour smarties. They're pretty good. And I just found out there's chocolate smarties. Apparently from the UK,"

[black-arcana]

EPICA's SIMONE SIMONS Releases Music Video For Second Solo Single 'In Love We Rust'

EPICA singer Simone Simons has released the official music video for her second solo single, "In Love We Rust". The track is taken from her debut solo album, "Vermillion", which will be made available on August 23 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Simone, who has been a pioneering force within the world of metal for over two decades as part of EPICA, worked on "Vermillion" with her musical partner and longtime collaborator Arjen Lucassen (AYREON).

Arjen is no stranger to Simone's soaring operatic voice, one that can stir even a gargoyle's stone heart to tears. Together they have crafted a sonic universe that befits the influential figure she is. "Vermillion" emerges as a gargantuan goose-bump generator, a universally touching, stellar tour de force.

Simone and Arjen state about "In Love We Rust": "The video was filmed in just one take to keep it as pure and raw as possible. We opted to keep it in black and white so as not to distract from the song or the performance.

"'In Love We Rust' is quite different from our first single 'Aeterna', which shows how diverse this album is. This is one of our favorite songs. We hope you love this as much as we do."

For more than 20 years, ever since she was a teenager, Simons has been carving her own path as a woman within the world of metal. As a lead singer, icon, and role model for a whole generation of female metalheads, the EPICA lead singer remains one of the most prominent key figures in all things metal. After eight albums and countless global tours with her band, Simone Simons finally found the time to release her first solo album — a moment 15 years in the making. Her breathtaking debut "Vermillion" is a stunning feat chronicling her storied past as well as her rise to fame, and showcasing her many different influences ranging from prog rock to film scores to metal to electronic elements.

Of the timing for her eagerly awaited foray into the realms of a solo career, the Dutch singer says with a disarming grin: "EPICA has my priority and I always have the liberty to do other musical projects besides my career in EPICA. Yet I never had the time to dive into a project to this extent."

When "Aeterna" was first released a month ago, Simone and Arjen stated: "'Aeterna' is the big, epic opener of the album and it comes with this amazing video too, directed by Patric Ullaeus. It definitely sounds the closest to EPICA and AYREON, blending powerful Latin lyrics with a touch of an oriental feel. We've tried to strike a balance between the mighty, bombastic sounds and the more atmospheric parts. Since it's the first track people will hear from this album, it's super important to us and we're really excited for people to hear it!

"'Aeterna' takes the point of view of a star about to go supernova to explore how everything in the universe is interconnected, like a cosmic web made from stardust. It deals our deep emotions, consciousness and other mysteries of life that science still can't fully explain. Essentially it's a reflection on our place in the vast universe and the connections that bind us together, as we're all, to quote Carl Sagan, 'made of starstuff.'"

"Vermillion" track listing:

01. Aeterna 02. In Love We Rust 03. Cradle To The Grave (feat. Alissa White-Gluz) 04. Fight Or Flight 05. Weight Of My World 06. Vermillion Dreams 07. The Core 08. Dystopia 09. R.E.D. 10. Dark Night Of The Soul

This past March, Simone told Mexico's Summa Inferno that EPICA's follow-up to 2021's "Omega" album will likely be released in 2025.

"I love the songs so far that we've written," Simone said. "There's more [songs that have been written] than fit on the album. So it's gonna be cool. And we won't tour that much this year. So we are focusing on the EPICA album and the 'Symphonic Synergy' shows [where EPICA will play alongside an orchestra], which is a lot of work."

In November 2022, EPICA released "The Alchemy Project" through Atomic Fire Records. The EP was co-written and performed with diverse guests ranging from extremists like FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE, Niilo Sevänen (INSOMNIUM) and Björn "Speed" Strid (SOILWORK) along with melodic masters like Tommy Karevik (KAMELOT),keyboard legend Phil Lanzon (URIAH HEEP) and Roel Van Helden (POWERWOLF) to a once-in-a-lifetime song with Simons, Charlotte Wessels and Myrkur.

Just one day after the release of its anniversary reissues "We Still Take You With Us" and "Live At Paradiso", EPICA celebrated 20 years of existence live in September 2022 at 013 in Tilburg, Netherlands, the same place where they played their first show (supporting ANATHEMA) back in 2002.

EPICA was formed by guitarist/vocalist Mark Jansen after leaving AFTER FOREVER in 2002, and the band quickly gained attention outside their home country, taking big steps towards becoming the leading symphonic metal superpower they have long proven to be. After their ambitious debut "The Phantom Agony" (2002) and the surprisingly eclectic sophomore work "Consign To Oblivion" (2005),the road took them to new heights via their first concept masterpiece "The Divine Conspiracy" (2007) and their global breakthrough "Design Your Universe" (2009). 2012's opus "Requiem For The Indifferent", 2014's bedazzling "The Quantum Enigma" and "The Holographic Principle" (2016),cemented their reputation as not only one of the hardest-working metal bands in the business but also as one of the best. With "Omega", the final part of the metaphysical trilogy they began with "The Quantum Enigma", they reclaimed the throne without so much as the blink of an eye, amassing three million-plus streams during the first week of the album's release.

[jane-gunson123]

Shout out to my ex.

You and your band, Little Mix, perform your new debut song ‘Shout out to my ex’ at the Brits after seeing your ex boyfriend there. 

Main Masterlist 

Sam fender master list

2019 had been an absolute roller coaster to say the least, there had been many ups and downs in 12 months. Your band, Little mix had went on a world tour after releasing your most critically acclaimed album to date, performing in some of the most prestigious venues available before ending it in the utilita area in your beloved hometown of Newcastle. The success of your album had resulted in not only being nominated for 2 Brit awrds but also being asked to perform at the awards as well. This was definitely the better parts of your year. 

The less favourable moments of your year had been the very public and humiliating break up with your ex, Sam. You had been together since you were 19 and after a very rocky few months and a cheating scandal, on his part, published by The Sun you had decided to call it quits with your lover. 

At first you weren't sure how to live your adult life without him, after all it was something you had never had to do before but with your girls you began to put the pieces of your heart that Sam had broke back together. 

The first step and arguably the hardest had been moving from you shared flat in Whitley Bay that the pair of you had bought at 21 after Little Mix had won the X-Factor and Sam had signed his first record deal and into a brand new apartment with your best friend and fellow band member, Jade, in Manchester. 

 Next, was you deleting all off pictures of him you had. Weather they were on one of your social medias or just our camera roll. After that, you blocked him and cut off all contact with him and his family. You knew deep down that you would have ran back to him in a heartbeat if he ask and you couldn’t do that. You need to heal and you can’t heal while touching the same flame that has already burnt you. 

As luck would have it, however, your tactics of avoidance might not be able to continue for much longer and in a few short hours you and your band would be performing at the brits with yours and Perrie’s exs in the crowd.  The most fitting part would be the song you would be performing, A shout out to my ex. 

You had written the song when Perrie had went through her break up about a year earlier than you but as your own relationship fell apart you found your self relating to the lyrics more than ever.

You thought that you would be more nervous about the potential of bumping into your ex and having to perform in front of him but you weren't really fazed by it all. Cameras flashed and interviewers pulled you and the girls over to answer questions but you had yet to bump into Sam. 

The feeling of getting ready to go out and perform in front of a large crowd was one no matter how many time you had done it you hated. It always wore off as soon as the music started to blast out of the speakers and that was still the case now. the opening melody made its way into your ears as you scanned the crowd, catching that blue pair of eyes you had spent many nights staring into discussing your future. Never did you quite imagine it ending like this though.   

Jade and Perrie had sung their parts now it was your turn. At this point all five off you had disappeared into crowd, dancing around the tables filled with familiar faces in the music industry.  For some reason the table with your ex and his band had been alluring and you ended up directly in front off Sam’s seat as your verse began. 

“Oh, I deleted all your pics,” You sang staring Sam in his eyes, reaching out to put your hand under his chin to force him to keep looking at you. It didnt take long for you to have his full attention, “Then blocked your number from my phone, mm.” 

Putting your hand back down by your side as you leaned closer into Sam's face as if you were going in to kiss him, “ Yeah, yeah, you took all you could get But you ain't gettin' this love no more.” Sam’s face was an absolute picture as you swerved your head around his after finishing your lyric, leaving him high and dry. He had fully expected you to kiss him at some point but had been left disappointed. 

His band mate and best friend Drew, however, had found a lot of amusement in your tormenting of Sam. As you walked away you heard him shout, “Go on lass.”  

The song had finished faster than you would have like and so did the rest off the awards. The band had won the two they were nominated for and Sam had also won the one he was up for before performing Dead boys, a song about male suicide in remembrance of your late friend who had lost his battle with depression some years back in your early twenties.   

Little did you know at the time that your little stunt to wind up your ex would not only become viral overnight but also be responsible for elevating yours and Sam’s careers. It would first result in an appearances on Loose Women and The Jonathan Ross Show where you would admit to having consumed a bit of liquid courage before stepping on stage. 

So in all it wasn't a bad end to to a roller coaster of year but nothing could have prepared you or anyone for that matter for the absolute train wreck that 2020 would be.  

[startrekfangirl2233-writes]

A Hazy Shade of Winter

Javy 'Coyote' Machado x Reader

Description: It feels like something has inexplicably changed between you and Javy Machado during your two day drive across the country. He's different with you, kinder, sweeter, and softer. It's a side of him you could easily fall in love with. But before you drum up the courage to broach the topic with him, the two of you are in Jake and Nat's cute little house in Virginia and it feels like the moment is gone. One soak in a hot tub affirms your feelings and Javy's. The hours following are more fulfilling than you ever would have expected. All you can thank are Jake and Nat's hot tub.

Themes: Hot tubs, hot tub sex, shower-sex, falling in love, winter

Warnings: Female!Reader This fic is for adults age 18 and older, only! There are spicy happenings in this part! Please do not read if sexual intimacy is disturbing to you!

Word Count:

Author Note: This is part two of Gypsy and Javy's story and was written for @bellaireland1981's Winter RomCom Writing Challenge! I had an absolute blast writing this fic for Trope #17, Stuck Together/Snowed in/Stranded. I hope you all love reading this fic as much as I loved writing it! All my thanks go to @desert-fern who was instrumental as I bounced ideas back and forth for this fic, as well as for beta-reading it for me!

Read 'Tis the Damn Season here!

Cross Posted on AO3 Here!

My Masterlist

Something has unraveled between you and Javy Machado since that night. There are tiny gossamer ribbons of emotion, of trust stretching out from your ribcage to his, anchored within the beat of your heart and his. You've been talking as the hours turn into days with nobody else for companionship. You've talked about anything and everything, from your childhood to his, to childhood rituals and challenging duty stations. But you’ve never once addressed the kiss - kisses, really. It feels like electricity is zipping through your veins with each stolen glance, each languid glimpse you steal of his physique from the corner of your eyes.

Just as you ask him why he kissed you, if he meant what he said about being in love with you, the car jolts to a halt. It’s early, bright, and bitterly cold, a fact Tash does not appear to notice with how she’s waving excitedly from the front porch. You feel for Jake in that moment. Unlike her boyfriend, who is bundled up in a thick coat, boots, and jeans, Tash is just wearing leggings and a baggy bright orange Longhorns Jersey. You can see she’s wearing flip-flops on her feet, and you pray you’re headed back inside soon before she gets sick.

“You made it!” She’s practically dancing when you make your way onto the porch laden with your bags and a not considerable amount of snow. “I had my doubts, you know? I wasn’t sure you could make it with Javy halfway across the country without murdering him.”

 “It was a near thing, Tash.” You shrug as Jake opens the door for you, shivering at the blast of heat washing over you as you set your bags in a pile in the foyer.

“Hey, Jake.” Unencumbered, you hug your friends, giggling as Jake hoists you up and spins you around in a circle. Then you get wrapped up in a warm hug from Tash and dragged through the house. You can vaguely hear Jake and Javy following behind the two of you as you walk through the house, laughing and catching up. The culmination of the tour is a bedroom.

“So, Gypsy, this is the guest bedroom.” The bedroom is beautiful, painted soft cream with white wood furniture. It feels like summer in a room. But when you mention as much, you’re surprised to see Tasha’s mouth fall open in surprise.

“What?” You need coffee for this, please. Jake and Tasha just share a look with each other. The room feels stifling as you look between your friends, and surprisingly, it’s Javy who puts you out of your mystery.

“Gyppie, I think Tash means that this is the only guest bedroom.” You turn then, taking in the queen bed at the center of the room. 

“Oh.” You turn back to Javy and smile just a little. “I’ll take the window side of the bed, then.”

“That works for me.” He hands you your bags with a grin of his own. “You forgot these downstairs.”

“Thanks, Javy.” 

“Gypsy?” You turn to look at your best friend, unsure of what her tone means, though you can see a shocked expression on her face. “Come on down to the kitchen with me. I have coffee down there. I think we need to talk.”

You follow your best friend easily, smiling as Javy squeezes your hand in his as you pass. It’s an action that both Jake and Tash see, and as you follow Tash down the stairs, you can see the questions floating around her head.

“Do you still take your coffee with an obscene amount of cream and a spoonful of sugar?” You nod and accept the hot mug, letting Tash drag you to sit at the kitchen table. 

“What the hell was that?” She’s adopted her gossiping position, one leg curled under her butt as she leans forward. The big jersey’s sleeves cover her hands as they clutch her mug. Unconsciously, you end up mirroring her position, sipping on your coffee and letting the caffeine hit your stomach as you think of what to say. 

“What was what, Tash?”

“You didn’t fight about sharing a bed with Javier Machado! That’s what.” You shrug. 

“Things have changed, Tash.” At her snort, you find yourself spilling the beans. The night in the motel room, miles away, feels like a dream. Her squeal when you get to the kiss nearly deafens you.

“He kissed you!” She sounds practically giddy with glee, her eyes bright as she looks at you across the warm wood table. “And you kissed him back!”

“So, what now? Does this mean you’re in a relationship with him now?” 

“I wish I knew, Tash. We haven’t talked about it.” Her mouth parts in dismay.

“Is that why you haven’t objected to sharing a bedroom with him?” You nod sheepishly. “Is there anything Jake or I can do to help?”

“Not really, Tash. We just have to communicate. Communicate like we’ve never been able to before this. It's just…” You sigh softly. “It feels right, spending time with him. It feels right in a way nothing else ever has. I have butterflies, literal, actual butterflies in my stomach when I talk to him. I used to think that feeling was hatred. But the past few days have taught me differently.”

“I’ll see what I can do to make sure you have some time together, Gyp. I’ll make sure Jake knows, too.” You smile softly and change the subject. You’re not sure you could face either of the men overhearing this particular conversation.

“So what’s it been like - having your own house and living with Jake?” It was the right question to ask. Her face lights up as she discusses buying furniture and decorating the house. You haven’t seen her this happy in a very long time. You get absorbed in the conversation and manage to forget the question of what Javy and you are for half an hour more. 

You get yanked out of your cozy conversation when Jake clatters into the kitchen. Javy follows at his heels, the scent of his cologne preceding him. 

“The shower’s all yours, Gyppie.” You hand Jake your empty mug and move to leave the kitchen.

“Wait a sec, Gyp.” You turn to look at Jake. “I’m making brunch now, and we didn’t have anything planned for today. If either of you feels like taking a dip in the hot tub out back, you’re welcome to.”

You wave your goodbyes and head up to take a hot shower. The bathroom is still neat, with only a little bit of steam in the air. It feels amazing to wash off the dirt of traveling cross country in a car. By the time you leave your room, the house smells deliciously of coffee and breakfast. Your stomach rumbles as you accept your laden plate and settle in next to Javy at the table to eat your meal. The atmosphere is light as you talk and laugh, catching up. Javy’s hand finds its way to your thigh under the table, and that one point of contact makes heat slide through your system.

In the mid-afternoon, after Jake drags Tasha into their bedroom for a nap, which you’re almost 90% sure isn’t a nap at all, you walk up into your room to change into your bikini for a soak in the hot tub. Javy has obviously had the same idea because he’s standing in the room in a pair of yellow swim trunks with red lines going down them. The sight makes you drool a little bit because the shorts are just a bit too short, revealing the mouth-watering expanse of his tanned, strong thighs and his truly enviable six-pack abs. You grab your bikini and excuse yourself to the bathroom, uncomfortably aware of the flush in your cheeks and the dazed look in your eyes as you change into the simple black fabric.

You pull on a pair of sweats and exit to an empty bedroom. You can faintly hear a moan from behind the closed door of the master bedroom, and you make your escape. Tash might be your best friend, but you don’t need to know what she sounds like in bed. You let yourself out via the kitchen door and toddle carefully out to the hot tub. The ground is covered in a layer of frost, and you’re underdressed for this weather. Thankfully, you’re not going far. The hot tub is at the bottom of the backyard in a little shed. The gate’s open when you step through, the cover off and the water steaming in the cold air. Javy’s already in the tub, languid in the bubbling water. His clothes are on a bench in the back, and you set your towel next to his. Your skin prickles with goosebumps as you drag your sweats off, shuddering as you fold the garments up and set them near your towel.

“Come on in, the water’s perfect.” Javy’s eyes are dark as they drag over your form. Your nipples pucker into hard peaks at the sight before you. It takes you several moments to screw up all of your courage and step in. The water feels nearly too hot on your chilled skin, but once you’re in the tub up to your collarbones, you feel a little bit less exposed.

“That bikini looks amazing, Gyppie.” If you were flushed earlier, you’re even more so now.

“It’s just a plain black bikini.” You deflect, “It’s nothing special.”

“I’d argue that it is.” You jump when his hand wraps around your ankle. “It’s borderline indecent how two small triangles of fabric make your tits look mouthwatering. I haven’t seen your ass, but I’m sure it looks fabulous too.”

You chuckle awkwardly because you don’t know how to respond. You’re not sure why Javy’s being so profuse with compliments. He was the person who seemed so content with not addressing the kisses from the motel. Now he’s got his hands on your skin and complimenting your body?

“At least come here, sweetheart.” There’s a soft smile on his face, his strong fingers rubbing circles against your ankle. “I can’t see you through all the steam.”

It feels like you’re in a trance as you take his hand and let yourself be pulled into his lap. This close, you can feel the muscles of his thighs flex under your thighs. 

“Much better, sweetheart.” His hands are on your waist, thumbs resting just against the underside of your breasts.

“What’s going on? What happened to my bold, pretty Gypsy who kissed me like that in that motel room?” You freeze from where you’d been slowly acclimatizing yourself to sitting in his lap. “I can’t believe this shy little thing is her.”

“I…” To your embarrassment, you stutter a little at his earnest question, and you can’t meet his eyes. “I’m not usually like this.”

“Is this just another thing that’s a reaction to me, then?” His hands slide up, hot and wet, to draw your face up until your eyes are level with his own.

“Why are you doing this, Javy?” Of all the questions you were expecting to fly out of your mouth, this wasn’t one.

“I thought I told you why in that motel room.” You gasp. “I’m in love with you, Gypsy. I always have been.” It’s when he repeats the words with your name that you start to believe him.

This time, you initiate the kiss, smiling when you feel his grin against your mouth. He takes control soon afterward, licking into your mouth in languid strokes that have heat spiraling through your veins. Your chest heaves when he pulls away. Despite the hot water lapping over your chest, you have goosebumps across your arms, and your nipples are hard. You feel special in his gaze.

“What’re you thinking about, hmm, Gyppie?” His hands haven’t strayed from their place on your ribcage, no matter how much you’d like them to.

“I’m thinking about how stupid I’ve been by denying how electric I feel in your presence.” 

His laugh takes your breath away. “Those are awfully big words for somebody wriggling on my lap like this.”

When you move to stop, he tugs you in closer. “I didn’t say, stop, baby. I think I might die if you do.”

Javy kisses down the side of your throat, the wet slide and suction robbing any sense you have. You’re powerless to do anything but moan as those big hands undo the tie of your bikini and as his mouth dips lower and lower. The heat languishing in your belly burns in a sharp, stinging ache as his parted mouth meets the peak of your breast. You shudder and curl a hand in his hair. That vicious ache between your thighs pulses in beat with your rushing blood. You whimper, honest-to-god whimper, when he pulls away.

“C’mon, baby.” You let Javy pick you up and carry you out of the tub. “I’m not going to fuck you in here. Let’s get back into the house, okay?” 

You nod dumbly, not sure where to look or how to act when there is so much arousal in your veins. He dries you off carefully, kissing the swell of your breasts before tugging your sweatshirt back over your head and your pants up your legs. You observe as he turns off the tub and the lights and let him lead you back into the house. Your bikini is trapped in your hands, and your lips feel swollen with the force of his kisses. Thankfully, the house is still silent, barring the occasional gasp from the master bedroom, as you close the door to the guest room and lock it.

This leaves you looking right at Javy, seeing the heat in his gaze.

“I'm going to take a shower.” You murmur, turning your back to him as you tug the damp clothing off in his view. There's a foreign confidence in your veins as you untie the bikini bottoms and let them smack, water-laden as they are, on the tile floor. When you step under the hot stream, you're praying that Javy understands what you want. You're not sure you can take the mortification of being wrong when you have to share a bed with him.

You're more than pleased to find you're not wrong when arms wrap around your bare form minutes later. He's hard against your butt, and his hands are very busy mapping your skin.

“Been dreaming about this, baby.” His voice is a guttural moan, which has you melting in his big, calloused hands. “Gonna make you feel so good.” 

You whimper when his hands leave your skin. You can't believe your eyes when you turn around because he's kneeling on the tile as the water rains onto his upturned face.

“Can I eat you out, baby?” You nod and let him manhandle you with your leg over his shoulder. The first swipe of his tongue through your folds has you seeing stars. His big hands hold your thighs open as they shake under the onslaught, soothingly massaging the muscles as they tense and your toes curl in pleasure. You twist your nipples, tugging on the hard peaks in a near rhythm to his tongue as your body crashes towards your first orgasm in months. Everything feels sensitive as the band in your belly tightens, the pressure making your thighs quake as you bite your lips.

When his lips wrap around your swollen clit, he sucks gently as you cum with a garbled screech of his name. Your hips buck wildly as your back arches. When Javy slides his way back up to standing in front of you, he has to tease your lips out from between your teeth.

“Aww, baby, look at you. My beautiful Gypsy-girl.” There's naked affection in his gaze as he kisses you. Your eyes flutter slowly closed as he kisses you.

“Javy?” He hums in response, hands busy squashing your ass. “What about you?”

“Aren't you still, you know, hard?” Your voice is a whisper barely audible over the drumming water.

“How could I be when I have a beautiful thing falling apart on my tongue?” You're giggling into the kisses he lays across your mouth.

Your daydream in the motel shower was right. Javy Machado's hands are the perfect fit for your curves, the rough pads of his fingers so gentle as they massage soap across your skin. You hope that your hands feel just as perfect on his skin as you return the favor.

“You're mine, now, Gypsy.” Javy keeps murmuring the words possessively into your ears. It sounds almost like he's reassuring himself that you're truly here, in his arms, despite your murmurs back in the affirmative.

His gaze is unbelieving when you push him onto the bed, still damp, and crawl over him. His body responds to your touch as you pepper kisses down his chest, pressing one featherlight kiss against his cock. You can already taste the salty-sweet tang of his precum as you slide back up and capture his mouth into another kiss. This kiss is punctuated by his moans as you work over his length, using your own arousal to ease the way.

His gasp is in perfect harmony with your own as you ease yourself onto his length. He's big, and he feels even better than he looks as you sink inch by excruciating inch down his length.

“God, baby.” You preen in your position atop him, soaking in the pure love in his voice. “You feel so good, baby. Make me cum, baby doll. Go on.”

The order, coupled with your arousal, has you lifting yourself up and settling back down, over and over. You're chasing the high of your last orgasm once again, everything fever-hot as you take your pleasure. When your steady rhythm falters as your thighs burn, Javy flips you onto your back. His muscular body heaves over you, his eyes dragging torturously over your spit-slicked, parted lips, your erect nipples, and your puffy cunt.

“Gypsy, you look so perfect.” His words are worshiping, his cock sliding over your wet heat as he kisses your neck. The sharp sting of his teeth against your pulse, coupled with the blunt press of his cock has your back arching and a moan tumbling out of your mouth. Now, the pace is brutal. His lips are bared in a growl as his muscles glisten with sweat. The bedroom is filled with the smack of skin against skin, and unbidden, you can feel another orgasm coming over you.

Javy doesn't help that, not when he kisses you filthily and growls, “Feel so good, baby. My pretty Gypsy girl feels like she's gonna cum, huh? Her little pussy fluttering around me?”

You can’t respond in anything other than gasps or moans. All your thoughts are driven out by the press of his skin against your own. The two of you cum together, muffling your pleasure against each other's skin. You find yourself in the shower again once you can feel your feet, this time sharing lazy kisses as you melt into his arms.

When Tash and Jake walk down the stairs an hour later, your hair is a damp mess around your face. There's pasta sauce bubbling on the stove and garlic bread in the oven. A bottle of wine is breathing on the dining table, but neither you nor Javy care. Not when he's got you caged up against the counter, kissing you as you try to sing along to the music playing softly from the speakers. There's snow falling to the ground outside, but in the house, everything feels warm and bright.

I DO NOT CONSENT TO HAVE MY WORK POSTED, TRANSLATED, OR PUBLISHED ON ANY SITES OTHER THAN HERE, ON WATTPAD, OR ON TUMBLR BY ME. IF YOU SEE MY WORKS ANYWHERE OTHER THAN HERE, ON WATTPAD, OR TUMBLR, THEN THEY HAVE BEEN POSTED WITHOUT MY PERMISSION AND I WILL BE WORKING TO TAKE THEM DOWN.

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[spicerackofblorbos]

Chapter 8: June - Part Three

☾ Pairings ➼ Levi Ackerman x fem!mute!Reader (she/her pronouns), set in a modern semi-fictional world

☾ Summary ➼ Due to childhood trauma, you find yourself an adult without the ability to speak. After years of working on it, you have found ways to live without a voice. Now here in your late 20s, you are 5 months in getting used to a new town. On a fateful day in late November, you and your adopted sister visit a local bookstore-café, unaware of the friendships about to blossom. Throughout the months, one friendship in particular develops into something more.

☾ Content/Warnings ➼ fluff, slowburn, oblivious feelings, romance, angst, mention of minor character deaths, trauma, illness, adoption, mentions of fire, disabilities, alcohol use, very light nsfw mentions, references to child abuse, smoking and alcohol abuse mentions, domestic violence mentions, light assault

☾ Author's note ➼ Hey guys! Here's part 3, as promised!! I'm going to take a very small break from this so I can get started on my summer requests but I'll be back soon with what I believe is the best plot line yet. I'm really excited for y'all to see it, as it's like nothing I've ever written before. See y'all with part 4!!

☾ Word Count ➼ ~5.9k

In the past, Levi never found himself in situations like the ones he found himself in lately. Before you landed in his café so many months ago, life was simple. Work, home, sleep for a couple of hours, rinse and repeat. He didn’t mind the repetition. Then you came in and painted his life with every color imaginable – everything seemed so overwhelming. But you would never find him upset about it.

Levi watches you by the kitchen island as you twirl in front of Hange to show off the new dress you had bought from the shopping trip you had earlier in the day. It hugs your curves perfectly. The front is quite modest, probably a personal preference of yours. But the back – Levi averts his gaze from the searing heat pooling into his stomach. His eyes don’t stay away for long, however. How could they?

The open back of your floral patterned, thinly strapped dress ends right above your ass, falling loosely down to the middle of your thighs. You had gotten so much sun yesterday that the lines left behind from your bathing suit cut across your soft skin. That damned bathing suit. It was extremely unfair of you to look like that.

Levi clenches his phone in tight fingers as he forces himself to look away and out the window to the early evening. Clouds so fluffy that they looked drawn on float by gently. The weather has been great all day, and he imagines it will only stay this way for the rest of the night. Was this an omen for something?

“That tour sure was something.” Erwin says as he ambles up to the counter. Levi hums in agreement, only half paying attention to Erwin’s continuous rambles about what you all had seen today at Liberio’s local history and cultural museum.

Most of the displays were about a war that happened a long time ago. He already knew a bit, considering the war in question was with Paradis, the island you are all from. Levi didn’t care too much about history, though.

He spent the entire time watching your reactions from afar, inwardly chuckling to himself at your ridiculous behavior. Wide eyes and toothy grin as you went through the whole thing in child-like wonder. Levi’s eyes cut over to your standing figure in the doorway as you chat with your sister.

If there was anything in that museum that needed to be protected at all costs, it was you.

Something tugs at Levi’s sleeve, breaking him out of his thoughts. It’s you, getting his attention to warn him that you were all ready to leave. He nods and slides his phone into his back pocket before following you to the elevator, your sweet perfumes wafting back and tickling his nose.

Liberio’s town square wasn’t very far. The moment you had all stepped out into the humid evening air, Levi’s eyes were immediately blasted with bright streamers and other various multi-colored decorations. The street is fairly crowded as well, and only got worse the closer you all got to the main square.  

The scents of assorted cooked foods blew in the breeze, and even Levi couldn’t deny how wonderful they all smelled. He watches as your nose picks up on it as well, and the way you look back at him to check if you were still there makes him want to whisk you away and kiss you right then and there. Levi shakes his head to get that visual out and regrets it immediately.

You were still looking at him when he did that, and your smile fades. You face forward again, focusing on where you were going. Levi groans to himself, mentally punching himself. Did you think he was disapproving of you? It was only the thought of kissing you that he didn’t agree with.

Lies. His brain says.

Fuck off. Levi retorts back.

When you all got to the square, it was much more crowded than the town locals had warned about earlier. The music increased in volume tenfold, and from the looks of it, it’s coming from a DJ booth that sits in front of the town hall. There isn’t a designated dancing area that Levi could tell, considering everyone around him was dancing to the greatest top hits of the summer.-

Someone bumps into you and subsequently right into Levi since he's right behind you. He grabs onto your shoulders to steady you as he shoots daggers at the person that almost knocked you over.

“Are you okay?” Levi’s breath tickles your neck since you’re still pressed up against him from the dense crowd. Instead of responding, he feels your fingers find his hand and closes around it. You squeeze twice. He takes that as an okay because you continue on, but your fingers never let go. And he doesn’t pull away either.

It’s a good thing that you had a grip on him because it wasn’t much longer until Hange and Erwin disappeared from Levi’s sights. What else is new?

The crowd thickens as time goes on. Levi lets you lead, mainly because he doesn’t have the space to be able to pull forward. It became increasingly clear to him early on that you had no idea where you were going. He makes no move to stop you, though.

Levi’s hand tightens on yours and you squeeze back. It’s reassuring, something he wasn’t prepared to feel from such a small action. Whether it was from knowing you were still with him or because it was you to begin with. Abruptly, you stop in your tracks and Levi smacks into the back of you, almost knocking you forward.

“Hey, what…” Levi trails off as he follows your eyes to the spectacle in front.

A burst of heat slams into Levi’s face making him flinch. Blinking a few times, he spots a man dancing with a torch in one hand and a bottle of clear liquid in the other. Someone is off to the side, hand drumming a beat and leading the dancing man. After a few seconds, he does a back flip and then spits out some of the clear liquid he must have had in his mouth up into the sky and sticks the torch in it, creating a fiery plume above his head.

Levi’s eyes flicker over to yours, which sit wide in fear. It shames him to admit that it took him too long to understand why.

Levi squeezes your hand, only now realizing how hard they’re trembling. You don’t squeeze back. He tugs on it, probably a little rougher than he meant to. Your body sways from the sudden jerk, but you still make no effort to move your legs.

“Let’s go sit. Maybe the idiots will find us.” Levi says decisively before interlacing his fingers in yours and dragging you away and back into the crowd, you clumsily following behind.

Eventually, Levi finds solace at a fountain tucked away down the road that is significantly less crowded. He leads you over to it and sits you down gently, noting how glassy your eyes were. You hadn’t moved much since then, which Levi attributed to the possible shock at the sudden flames being thrown in your face.

It had been quite a few months since you were introduced into Levi’s life, but even still, you weren’t very forthcoming about how bad the trauma from that night so many years ago was for you. He’s made assumptions, sure. But there was never a good time to bring it up, and truth be told, he hoped you would talk to him when you were ready.

If you didn’t wish to talk about it, he would offer company instead. He understood that you didn’t need to say anything now, and Levi would wait for as long as he needed to.

“Hey.” Your glazed eyes shift from the couple slow dancing a few yards away and up to Levi’s slate gray eyes. The cool evening air blows past, blowing a few strands across your face as you try to focus on Levi.

“We can take as long as you need.” He mutters over to you. You stare over at him and blink a few times. Your lips pull back into a grateful smile, and nod.

You both sit for a while, watching the people who are currently enjoying the evening festivities. A group of kids run by, all with ice cream cones, followed by a very disheveled blonde teen who looks torn between having fun and wishing he was home.

In addition to the soft music weaving through the buildings, the rushing of water from behind offers a sense of peace that Levi hasn’t felt in a while. Was it the fountain though, or was it you? Levi glances over to find you watching him intently. It makes his stomach do flips.

“Are you getting hungry?” Levi raises an eyebrow at you.

‘I think so. Are you?’ You sit back on the concrete fountain lip you both were currently resting on. Levi could tell you were doing your best to keep yourself present, which meant a distraction is well needed.

“Let’s go get you something.” With that, Levi slides off the wall and offers you a hand. You grab it with no hesitation, smiling up at him as he pulls you off the side and a few inches away from his face.

There’s a moment where Levi pauses, glancing down to your lips that currently still curve into a soft smile. Blinking a few times, he takes a step back and mumbles an apology. He turns on his heel and leads you over to the multiple food stalls lining the sides of the closed off road, his fingers intertwining in yours to not lose you.

“What kind of food are you thinking of?” Levi semi-shouts over the chatter around you, his eyes scanning around the options then over to you. You stand, hip cocked to the side as you tap your chin with a finger in thought. Your lips jut out as you contemplate. Eventually, your gaze lands on a stall selling something called ‘pizza cones’. You point to that one, and look over to Levi with wide eyes. How could he ever say no to that face.

Levi internally groans when he gets closer, however. The line is a little long, but that’s not what makes his skin crawl. There’s only a few people ahead and Levi watches as the vendor hands a girl no older than 10 a cheesy cone. She takes a huge bite out of it before fanning her mouth from the heat, food still stuffed in her mouth. Cheese and red sauce slip out the corners of her wide smile, looking up at a familiar blonde teenager who returns a booming laugh. These were the messiest things Levi’s ever seen.

“Reiner, you have to try this!” She shouts, barely containing her glee. The boy who she referred to as Reiner glances over to you and Levi standing behind them and offers a small apology.

“I will Gabi, but we need to let these nice people have their turn now. Let’s go find Falco and the others so you can gush about it with them, yeah?” He pats her head and places a hand on her shoulders before turning her around and marching her off. Reiner turns and mouths another apology before getting lost in the crowd.

“What can I get you two?” A man leans out of the window as he eyes you and Levi. He has a black handlebar mustache that curls out at the ends and a sweaty, bald head. He smiles down at the pair of you with warmth.

Levi looks over to you as you squint your eyes at the menu hanging up by the window. Your teeth bite into your bottom lip as you focus, eyes glued to the blackboard. After a couple seconds, your eyes flicker over to Levi and puff your cheeks out.

‘What are you getting?’

“I’m not that hungry. What are you getting?” Levi crosses his arms across his chest as he waits for you. You scrunch your nose as you try to decide, which was not easy to do. His stomach flips as he watches you think.

‘I guess I’ll take a pepperoni one. With extra cheese!’ You sign excitedly.

Levi easily translates for the man and before you can dig for your wallet in the little bag strapped across your body, he whips out a few bills and hands them over. You shoot him a glare, hand still in your bag.

“Too slow.” A smirk plays on his lips as he glances over to you. You reach over and pinch his earlobe with your tongue sticking out at him. He swats at you with one hand as he reaches over and grabs the cone you had ordered from the vendor’s outstretched arm in the other, saying thanks as he does. Levi hands it over to you, and you return a grateful smile despite your annoyance from him paying. Then he points in a direction with his head and walks off, you practically skipping on his heels.

Levi doesn’t stop until he finds a fairly clear spot, landing you both where the carnival games just start on the street. Unfortunately, there isn’t anywhere to sit. Instead, he leans against a brick wall facing the crowd, arms across his chest as he watches you back into the wall as well.

You are much more delicate with this absurd delicacy in your hand compared to that child earlier, opting to use a plastic fork you had grabbed before leaving the stall. You look up to see him watching you with those stormy grey eyes of his. You’re caught off guard by the intense stare that the contents on your fork slip off and splatter back into the doughy cone. Levi huffs under his breath in amusement as he continues to eye you.

He never thought he would get this comfortable around anyone. But you weren’t just anyone anymore, were you? You were that little girl he sought to protect those many years ago. And now you’re the woman he wouldn’t mind standing next to for as long as he was able to. Levi’s thoughts falter at the sudden revelation.

When did this happen? There’s a nagging in the back of his head telling him that he’s always felt like that. What would you think if you found him out? Would you want that? Him?

You mouth a ‘what’ to him, not able to converse clearly with both hands occupied.

“You’re a mess.” Levi retorts back dryly.  

Gingerly, Levi leans over with a napkin pinched in between two fingers, his eyes fixated on something above your lip. He gently wipes at it with the papery napkin, your eyes never leaving his face. You stand, frozen, which makes things easier for Levi. After a moment, he pulls away to inspect his work. His eyes scan your face to make sure, but in truth, he just liked looking at you and he wanted any excuse to do so. He folds the napkin up once he’s satisfied and leans back against the brick building as if nothing happened. His stomach, however, does somersaults.

“Um, excuse me.” A shaky voice pipes up from in front. You and Levi turn to the source at the same time and are met with the sight of an older woman, maybe in her 70s, with a thin piece of what looks to be paper pinched between two fingers. She has a gentle smile gracing her features, her crows feet surrounding her sparkling hazel eyes. A polaroid camera hangs from her neck.

“I’m really sorry to intrude, and I hope this doesn’t come off as weird. But I snapped this photo of you two from afar, and I thought you two might like it.” She pushes her hand with the piece of paper forward to Levi, and he takes it carefully. His slightly annoyed expression turns into surprise.

It’s not just a piece of paper - it’s a developed photo. And in the film is a picture of you staring at Levi as he leans in, napkin in hand. It’s not the snapshot itself that flusters him, nor the fact that this random stranger had even taken an unsolicited photo of you both. It was the look that you were giving Levi, forever immortalized in this small frame.

“You two are very adorable. How long have you been together?” She smiles unknowingly.

Levi glances back up to the woman and stutters in denial at the same time that you wave your hands in front of your body in a declining manner. She raises her eyebrows in surprise.

“Oh, dear me. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to assume. You two just fit well together.” She reaches over and pats your shell-shocked face right on the cheek. She stares into your eyes and then gives a subtle nod. Looking over to Levi, she smiles sweetly.

“You keep that photo for memories, will you?” She reaches over and pats Levi on the chest before turning on her heels and walking off into the crowd.

You pluck the picture out of Levi’s hand and pull it up close to your face. Levi watches as your eyes widen at the glossy film. Carefully, you open your bag and slide it in for safekeeping. As if nothing happened, you go back to eating your meal, ignoring the red-hot blood pooling into your cheeks.

.

The topic of the photo lies forgotten, or maybe it was intentionally ignored. Levi wonders what you might be thinking – did you see the same thing he saw? Maybe there wasn’t anything to see and his brain is playing tricks on him. He decides to go with that and pushes it far back in his mind.  

You had finished your food relatively quickly, offering bites to Levi as you went on. He, of course, declined. He was having enough fun watching you enjoy your food in peace. Once you had discarded all the trash, you look over to Levi with a raised eyebrow, as if to say, ‘where to?’

“Let’s go find Hange and Erwin. There’s no telling what those idiots have gotten themselves into.”

For some reason, you decide to helm the expedition again and choose to go through the street full of carnival games. Levi supposes that’s not too far off for his friends knowing who they are as people. However, the more he watches your attention jump from booth to booth, he realizes you were more curious about your surroundings than interested in finding the rest of the group. He didn’t mind if it meant watching your face gawk at everything, though.

Levi is in the middle of staring at some people failing miserably at an airsoft game when he feels your fingers tug at his shirt sleeve to get his attention. He looks over to see you smiling at him excitedly and pointing to a high striker game off to the side.

There are already a few people surrounding it, watching a small woman ready the big hammer in her hands. Her blonde hair is pulled up into clip and a bored expression plasters her face, as if this is nothing for her. She shifts her weight, takes a deep breath, and swings the large hammer over her head and right down onto the lever marked with a red X.

The bell at the top rings out, followed by the loud cheers of the friends around her. She just shrugs and leans the hammer back against the base.

“I told you Bertoldt,” A brown-haired girl wraps her arm around the blonde girl’s shoulders as she smiles widely. “Annie kicks all kinds of ass. Bet you couldn’t even get it halfway.” She taunts. The tall brunette man next to them sighs.

“I’m not doing it, Hitch.”

“Is it because you’re scared of looking like a fool?” The woman named Hitch shoots him a smirk, leaning against the blonde.

“Excuse me miss, what kind of pr-“

“I’m good.”  Annie cuts the vendor off and starts off in the opposite direction and says as she walks, “I did the thing, now let’s go find Reiner. I’m sure he’s tired of babysitting all of those kids.” The other two bicker behind her as they follow.

Levi feels his shirt being tugged again, this time in the direction of the game. You don’t stop until you’re right in front of the stand, letting go of Levi and reaching into your purse for a couple dollars.

“Giving it a try?” Levi asks. After handing the vendor a few dollars, you turn around to Levi and smile.

‘Obviously.’ You reach over to grab the hammer. Levi’s concern only bubbles up for a moment after watching you struggle to bring it over your shoulder. It dissipates as quickly as he sees the look of determination wash over your face. Your constant tenacity continues to surprise him, though he knows it shouldn’t. This is just who you are.

He watches as you take a stance like the girl that was here before, legs wide and shoulders rolled back. Taking a deep breath, you swing from behind and the hammer arcs over your head before smashing down with a heavy slam. There's a tongue-click of disappointment as the puck rises just right below the bell. When you turn to face Levi, he sees your cheeks puffed out.

“If your goal wasn’t to hit the bell, that was pretty good.” Levi muses. He’s met with a glare and pout. He raises his hands in feign defense and asks, “Do you want some help?”

‘Don’t even think about it. I can do better.’ Levi huffs in amusement and nods. It’s that damned tenacity again. Without saying another word, he reaches into his wallet and digs out a few more dollars before handing it off to the vendor. You offer him a wide smile and turn back around to the game.

You take a moment to steady yourself, squeezing the handle with both hands as you stare at the cherry red bell at the top of the 6-foot tower. Again, you widen your stance, roll your shoulders back. Deep breath, a swing, and a hit. The area rings out with a loud metallic clang as the puck hits the bell dead on.

In an instant, the hammer is on the ground and your arms are wrapping around Levi in a tight hug. It’s brief but Levi sighs in the scent of your delicious shampoo and revels in the feeling of your body against his. When you pull away, your eyes are as wide as your smile.

 ‘Did you see that?! I did it!’ Your body is practically vibrating in excitement at your achievement.

“Good job, I knew you could.” Levi rolls his eyes again, only to keep himself from staring at the way your lips pull back into that beautiful smile of yours.  

“Nicely done, miss!” The vendor smiles brightly over to you. “Go ahead and pick something off the wall!” He flourishes his hand in front of a wall filled with various stuffed animals and multicolored objects. You press your hands against the counter of the booth and lean forward on them as you stare at your options. Glancing over, you purse your lips and stare at Levi.

“What?” Levi raises an eyebrow.

‘Which one do I want?’

“Shouldn’t you know that better than me?”

‘I’m unsure. Will you choose for me?’ You give him a small smile as you sit back on the balls of your feet.

“And why would I do that?” Levi crosses his arms and stares at you, eyebrows knit.

‘Technically, you paid for the winning hit.’ You shrug your shoulders.

“It’s not my prize, though.” He grumbles, rolling his eyes. You’re really good at making him do that.

‘Please, Levi? Pick one for me?’

“Fine, but you can’t be mad at me if you don’t like it.” Levi frowns a bit as he stares up at the wall. There are so many choices, he’s not sure how he could even pick something properly. Until his sights land on something tucked behind another creature that makes him chuckle. Levi looks over to you and says your name.

“Close your eyes.” He orders. A smile trembles on your lips and you pinch them tight as you do as you’re asked.

“That one please, sir.” Levi points over to it. The vendor smiles kindly over to him then reaches up with a claw extender to pull it down. When it’s in Levi’s hands, he squeezes it gently; It’s soft and big enough to be a pillow.

“Okay, you can open them now.”

The look of pure joy that paints your face is something that will stay in Levi’s mind forever. The way your smile lights up every facet, eyes sparkling just as bright.

‘A strawberry!’ A small laugh escapes as you grab it from Levi’s hands and hold it out to inspect it closely. It’s a simple design. Brilliant red pocked with little white spots and topped with green leaves. It was simple, but it already meant more to you than Levi would ever know.

You hold the plush close to your chest and lean over to kiss him on the cheek. Levi blinks hard and stares at you in surprise, reeling at the tingling left behind where you had pressed your lips against his skin. He opens his mouth to say something, but nothing comes out. Levi struggles to process what just happened, but you don’t give him a chance to do so as you hum and turn around on your heels before walking off.

.

You and Levi wander around the miscellaneous stalls selling various trinkets in hopes of finding Erwin and Hange. They were still nowhere to be found, but at least you were having a good time walking about. When it felt like you both had done two rounds around the block, Levi found a table off to the side of the main plaza. The DJ is still in full swing, offering music to the dancing patrons that twirl by.

Half an hour later, leaning against the table propped up on one arm, Levi is tempted to just say ‘fuck it’ and head back to the condo for the night until a young man comes up to where you’re sitting and offers a hand.

“Pardon me, miss. I can’t help but notice you sitting here and would like to offer a dance.” He says in a soft voice.

You look up at him with surprise. For a moment, Levi’s worried you’ll say yes out of sudden pressure, but much to his satisfaction, you shake your head ‘no’ with a polite smile. He would never admit how pleased he was to see the smile fall off the poor man’s face at your denial.

“You’re so beautiful, though. Why don’t you come with me? How can you sit here alone?” His voice drips with desperation.

“She’s not alone.” Levi grumbles over to him, unable to keep the hostility out of his voice.

“And who might you be?” The stranger retracts his hand and stares over at Levi with indignation.

“Her dance partner, so leave.” Your eyes snap over to Levi at that comment. Levi doesn’t give off a single emotion as he stares coldly at the harasser. The man walks off, muttering under his breath about rude tourists.

Suddenly, you’re on your feet and in front of Levi, holding your hand out to him. Levi narrows his eyes to your hand and then to your cheeky smile. You have your stuffed strawberry tucked under the other arm that sits at your side.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

‘I’m asking you to dance, partner.’ You wiggle your fingers at him.

“Tch, like hell.”

‘Then I guess I’ll go find that oth-‘ Levi grabs your hand quickly, his fingers folding over your palm.

“Don’t even think about it.” This makes your shoulders bounce in laughter, and you pull him up as best you can. He stumbles a bit, wincing at his sore leg.

‘Just one dance.’ The music changes to something slow as you say that. The dancing crowd disperses, leaving room for those staying to slow dance.

“Fine.” Levi nods hesitantly.

Oh, how he loved your smiles. The way they brightened everything around you. Levi grabs the strawberry out from under your arm and places it on the table you were both just sitting at. You open your mouth to object, but he cuts you off.

“We’ll stay here. Unfortunately, three do not work well for dancing.” And like that, he pulls you in close. His hand wraps around you and settles on the small of your back where the skin just ends, sending goosebumps down your arms and legs. He takes the hand he is holding and places it behind his neck. You follow with your other arm, properly wrapping both arms around him.

Levi feels heat scorching into his cheeks as you both sway to the jazzy tune that floats through the air. He never saw himself as someone who would dance, especially slowly and even more so in front of the public eye. But here he was, with you in his arms. And he didn’t hate it as much as he thought he would.

He looks down into your eyes as he rocks back and forth with you in place. As always, he’s drawn to the depth of your eyes and the way they shine in the flickering lanterns littering around the decorated space. He still couldn’t understand why you watched him the way you did, but he couldn’t get enough of it.

Someone bumps into your back, pushing you flush up against Levi’s chest as they pass. You hear a soft apology from behind and then they’re gone. When you try to pull away, you’re met with resistance from Levi’s arms as he holds you closer.

“You’re fine.” He mumbles to you.

Levi feels your head lower onto his shoulder, your cheek pressed against the soft cloth, as the two of you continue to rock in place. He holds you close even when the song eventually ends. Before he realizes it, one song had turned to many.   

 .

You were fairly certain that your sister and Erwin weren’t coming back, and you find yourself not really caring that much. The time spent with Levi was more than you could have asked for. But as most things always do, it came to an end. You couldn’t blame Levi for suggesting to head back to the condo, though. With his more than subtle limp and your burning, tired eyes, you both agree quickly to leave the overwhelmingly crowded streets for the solace of a quiet space.

The moment the elevator doors slammed shut, the atmosphere between you and Levi shifts instantly. Thinking back on it, you would say some of it was your fault. The way you eyed Levi as he leaned across to press the code. How now in this enclosed space, his intoxicating scent filled every corner. You were alone with him for once, with no one around to watch. Were the events from tonight fogging your mind?

You grip Levi’s sleeve in tight fingers, and as always, he looks over to you in concern. You only do this to get his attention, though why he always looks at you like something is wrong is beyond you. But maybe he should think that, because there was something terribly wrong.

“Yeah?” He mutters over to you, sharp gray eyes staring into your own.

You can’t hear anything but the pulse pounding in your ears. If you could, you would have heard how your breath hitched and the breathy way Levi said your name. If you were paying attention to anything other than the way his gaze softened, you would have noticed it was you grabbing his shirt collar and pulling him into you. If you had any thoughts past the way his beautifully marred lips looked right now, you would have noticed that your lips were already pressing onto them.

You’ve always been a hopeless romantic. You’ve read all the books, watched all the rom-coms, laughed at the insinuation that there would be sparks or even something burning in your chest when you kiss someone special to you. Nothing prepares you for the way you feel right now.

Fluttering your eyes closed, you melt. You tangle your fingers into his soft t-shirt and hold him close, feeling his body heat emanating through the cloth. Levi’s rough hand cups your jaw and tilts your head, pulling you more into the kiss. There’s a hunger behind his movements and a fleeting thought of him devouring you whole flies through your mind. You wouldn’t mind, not if it was Levi.

His hands find their way down to your hips and squeezes, his fingertips finding purchase and digging into your flesh. Heat flows through your whole body like explosive static. The tip of his tongue teases the entrance of your mouth, as if asking for permission. In an answer to Levi, you moan softly into his mouth. You were unprepared for how touch starved you were, and something tells you Levi could notice. Perhaps he was the same. 

As if struck by lightning, Levi pulls away quickly as he inhales sharply for air. Your chest rises and falls as you do your best to catch your breath as well. He stares at you, eyes wide in shock at what just happened.

Levi says your name again, softly. Perplexed. Confused.

You’re suddenly aware of what you and Levi just did. A dam bursts in you and you can’t placate the emotions you seem to be cycling through right now. You lift a finger up to your bottom lip, still feeling the pressure of his lips on yours. Still tasting Levi on your tongue. Oh god, why did you do that?

Ding!

You press your stuffed plush against your chest and push past him into the condo. You beeline it to your bedroom, closing the door behind you and sliding against it until you are sitting on the floor. Burying your face into the soft fabric of the strawberry, you take a deep breath and try to focus on the emotions at the forefront of your mind.

There’s the obvious giddiness that dances through, then the elation and the excitement. But then comes guilt, fear, and mourning for the friendship you and Levi had up until you ruined it with your own impulsive self. You shouldn’t have kissed him, but you did. And you wanted to. And you liked it. But the hot tears that threatened to overspill from your eyes tells a different story.

Moonlight filters in through the sheer curtains, creating shadows on the floor next to you. You hear a door shut out in the living space, the click reverberating off the empty walls. You tell yourself after three deep breaths to get up and get ready for bed. It takes you more than ten, but eventually you find yourself in pajamas and lying on your side facing away from the windows.

Sleep does not come easily to you. You’re awake when Hange comes stumbling into the bedroom singing a song about bumblebees. You’re awake while pretending to be asleep so you don’t have to answer Hange’s incessant comments and questions as they get ready for bed. And you’re even awake when the walls start lighting up with blue hues from the oncoming sunrise.

☾ Previous Chapter: June - Part Two ☾ Next Chapter: June - Part Four

[slxt4chriss]

So high school? Pt. 2

Summary: In current time, y/n is performing at her biggest show yet. But so is her past lover Matt sturniolo.

Warnings: SMUT, p in v, angst, use of Y/n, swearing, drinking, smoking, talk about running away and getting married, Multiple POV’s, mentions of the word kill, THIS WARNING GOES FOR ALL PARTS!! Also pretend the triplets are back on tour.

Word count: 744

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

“I told my friends I hate you, but I love you just the same.”

Current day 2024 Toronto Canada:

Five minutes. Five minutes until another performance of the biggest tour I’ve been created starts. I’ve done about 100 times in the past, so why am I nervous now? Well maybe because my ex lover and thought to be soulmate is also on tour, in the same stadium just in a different venue.

Tonight’s performance is special because my newest member of the crew Gracie Abrams is singing with me tonight. Her newest album has a special feature that I’m bringing her out for! All of my albums are about Matt. I mean if you listen to them you can hear it, but nobody knows I’ve dated him so they thinks it’s a different ex. About halfway through my show durning the longest album, my mic stops working. Great. With the technology problem it had also started raining but I loved there rain and it looked like i could control lightning so that’s a plus.

Matt’s pov:

The music was blasting through the stadium walls, her voice was beautiful. I didn’t know who it was and frankly I didn’t care I was just mesmerized by her voice. Her songs were all about heartbreak though. She sounded a lot like y/n. Maybe it was. That would be crazy, she’s a doctor or something, at least that’s what she wanted to be. I think.

5 months before the breakup, 12th grade year:

He thrusts into her at a relentless pace, her voice cracking with the pleasure he induced into her. “Matt oh my,” she moaned quietly as her parents were in the room down the hall.”fuck y/n I’m so close” he whimpered into her neck. A few sloppy thrusts, and two mind shattering orgasms later, they lied in each others arms sloppy kisses placed onto each others body’s. Warm I love you’s and other sweet nothings spilled from their mouths.

“y/n?” Matt questioned his fingers tracing meaningless circles on her thigh. “Matt.” She whispered back her voice harsh and rough. “Promise me when we’re older we’ll get married and run away together?” His words were warm and inviting. Promising. “I promise” she spoke opening her eyes to look at the flustered boy in front of her. God did she love him.

Current day 2024 Toronto Canada Matt’s POV:

‘Imgonnagetyouback’ that’s a song I knew. I know who sings that because Chris sent it to me saying it sounded like the promise we had made after our first time tangled in her baby pink flower sheets, her purple and pink painted walls dark and dim while we entwined together in the dirtiest dance. I had told Chris about our promise, he promised to keep a secret from nick.

Nick never liked our relationship, he said if I ended things his and y/n’s relationship would end. We had been together for more than four years and really had grown to love each other more than anything. She proposed the idea to me after I had snuck through her window. I had thought about it many times late at night after I knew she was asleep I would go through my gallery and touch myself to the photos of her. Embarrassing really.

Y/n’s POV:

‘Imgonnagetyouback’ was my favorite song from my latest album. It was about the broken promise’s from my past. The adrenaline rush of nights with him, and how I always knew the love would fade. I always believed that after a love had faded you had to hate them. But with Matt it was different.

I still love him. But the love fades little by little day by day. The excitement of seeing him again one day disappeared years ago. The nights before the breakup we were fighting more than usual. He had kissed Sarah a while ago, I had thought nothing of it. It was a game.

Three days before I ended it I found out he had hooked up with Sarah a month before. He claimed he was drunk, it ment nothing. I was devastated. Then I cheated back, because I grew up in a household where you get revenge even on the coldest things. And a day before the breakup he told me that he wish he had never cheated. I thought he was lying. I was lying. I had never told him I cheated. And he never found out. We kept it like that. -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

A/n: this is short I think 😭 I wrote it in two hours, so if there’s any mistakes please dm me and tell me. ILY 🫶 part three out soon!!

@hoeforchrizz @chris-hallelujah

-Stay kind stay hot xoxo gossip girl 💋

©Slxt4chriss

[captainsophiestark]

The Best-Laid Plans

Platonic!Annabeth Chase x Reader

Masterlist - Join My Taglist!

Written for my personal fic writing challenge for 2024, Sophie's Year of Fic! Featuring a new fic being posted every Friday, all year long :)

Fandom: Percy Jackson

Summary: Annabeth's best friend and older sibling figure since she ran away at seven helps her execute the perfect birthday surprise for Percy in their first year at college.

Word Count: 1,306

Category: Fluff, Humor

A/N: To those new to the fandom from the tv show, weclome! This fic has hella spoilers for future books, so be warned

Putting work into an AI program without permission is illegal. You do not have my permission. Do not do it.

"I just want to do something special for him. It's his first birthday away from home, and I can tell it's bothering him."

I hummed, twirling my dagger and staring at the ceiling while kicked back on my couch. Such was the life of a demigod, that we fiddled with weapons like fidget toys.

"And there's no way you guys can go back?" I finally asked. Annabeth, my little sister in every way but blood, shook her head.

"We've got orientation for the next week and a half, including his birthday. It's the only reason we're here so early in the first place. We can't miss it."

I frowned. Annabeth and her boyfriend, Percy Jackson, had just started college at New Rome University. They'd gotten to the Bay Area yesterday, which I'd been incredibly excited about. Annabeth and I had been attached at the hip since I was eleven and she was seven, when we'd met as runaway demigods. Out of our little group, Annabeth and I had stayed the closest. After the Titan War, I'd decided to go USF, the muggle university in San Francisco. Leaving her had been the hardest part.

Now, luckily for me, she and Percy had moved out here too. Annabeth had finished unpacking and setting up her dorm room within a few hours of arrival, and so had some free time this morning to spend hanging out with me. Percy had not, so he was otherwise occupied on their last day before school activities started.

"Well, I'm happy to help with whatever you want to do, Annabeth," I said. She sighed, chewing at her lip and staring out the window of my apartment as she thought. "Maybe you could show him around the Bay Area? He probably hasn't spent much time out here, has he?"

"I really haven't either," she said. "I've barely been back since I was a kid."

"True..."

"Maybe we could go on a tour of New Rome? Percy told me he wanted to show me around, but I don't want to make him be the tour guide for his birthday."

"Yeah."

The two of us fell silent for a moment, thinking things through. Then, like a blast of lightning from Thalia, an idea hit me.

"What if you baked him some cookies or something? He's probably already missing his mom's baking."

Annabeth shot up straight in her seat, staring at me with wide eyes.

"That is the perfect idea. Can I make them here?"

"Of course! I'm not going to make you use the shared freshman kitchens."

Annabeth grinned, then stood and headed to the kitchen table. I watched her go with interest as she pulled out a notebook and pen and started scribbling away.

"Uh... Annabeth?"

"Making a plan. Don't worry about it."

I grinned to myself. My little sister was nothing if not predictable.

A few days later, Annabeth managed to sneak away from Percy and orientation to come back to my place for a baking party. Percy's birthday was tomorrow, so we only had tonight to get everything ready.

"I came up with the perfect plan," she said in lieu of greeting as she pushed past me and into the apartment. I smiled after her, joining her in the kitchen as she plopped down a massive bag of baking supplies. "I got the recipe, I timed everything out, I got a ton of blue food coloring. By the end of the day, the perfect birthday surprise will be completed."

"I'd never doubt a plan from Athena," I said, giving her a smile. "Just tell me what to do, and I'm on it."

"Right. Well, first we need to preheat the oven."

That was about the only part of the plan that ended up going off without a hitch. Annabeth didn't bake often, and she'd happened to choose a pretty difficult cookie recipe. I did my best to help, but I didn't have a lot of experience in the area either, so things went quickly off the rails. Just under two hours later, the two of us stood in the kitchen covered in flower, eggs, and bits of way too watery dough, staring at the absolute disaster of a mess we'd created on the counter.

"This was not part of the plan," she said. I couldn't help it—I burst out laughing.

"I don't know, I think sugar cookies are supposed to be so wet we can't pick them up," I joked. I turned to see Annabeth with a very serious frown on her face.

"I haven't had a plan fail this miserably in... a long time."

"Well, I think it's probably time for plan B. That can be your redemption."

Annabeth's frown just deepened, so I did what any good sibling would do and took it upon myself to cheer her up. By throwing a wad of dough in her face, of course.

Her mouth dropped open in shock as sugary, goopy dough dripped off her chin. Then she whirled on me with a fierce look and fire in her eyes that I recognized from the few times she'd really been on the warpath for capture the flag.

"That was a mistake."

She picked up the nearest glob of dough and chucked it at me as I tried to dodge. It hit me in the back with a thunk, and I cackled before turning around to reengage with a clump of flour.

The baking battle raged for a few fierce minutes, before Annabeth and I slipped in some dough on the floor while wrestling to smear more of the stuff on each others' heads. We collapsed in a heap, both of us laughing like crazy people.

"That was so worth everything that came before it," I declared, slumping against the nearest kitchen cabinet. Annabeth immediately followed suit, leaving us shoulder to shoulder in the middle of the mess.

"What about the cleanup that comes after?"

"Also worth it, especially since I have you here to help me."

Annabeth snorted, but didn't say anything. After a minute of comfortable silence, she sighed.

"What am I gonna do for Percy's birthday tomorrow?"

"Well, were the cookies the only plan?"

"No... He took me to one of his favorite spots in the city a few days ago, so I planned a picnic for the two of us there. The cookies were going to be the final surprise."

"Well, there you go then. The rest of the plan remains intact. If you wanted to, you could even make him a little coupon or something that promises 'one day of baking cookies' or something like that, and the two of you can pick an easier but still delicious recipe to try."

Annabeth looked at me with a skeptical eyebrow raised.

"Would you let us use your kitchen again?"

I shrugged. "Sure. Maybe Percy's better at baking than us. And even if he's not, having someone who can control water to help us with cleanup will at least make a round two of this easier."

Annabeth smiled and huffed a laugh, leaning against me.

"Thanks. For this, and for everything. I'm really glad you're here in San Francisco with us."

I smiled too, reaching out to put one arm around Annabeth. We'd known each other more than a decade, and we'd both changed so much. But our relationship had stayed the same.

"Any time, Annabeth. You know I'm always here for you." The two of us sat there for a minute, taking a breather and appreciating each other's company, and then I sighed. "Alright, time to get the cleaning stuff out. This is going to take hours."

"You know, I actually have a lot of coursework I need to get started on-"

"Nice try, but it's orientation. And even if you were in the middle of finals, you wouldn't be getting out of this."

"Fine. But next time, let's plan to avoid the massive kitchen food fight."

I grinned. "Sure. We can plan on that."

****************

Everything Taglist: @rosecentury @kmc1989

Riordanverse: @valkyriepirate

[jokeroutsubs]

📝 ENG Translation: Joker Out: "We perform only for a loud audience".

Article from City Magazine, Serbia.

ENG Translation:

We perform only for a loud audience

Loud, fun, with dancing and a pinch of sequins

We don’t remember when a band jumped several levels of the music scene so quickly, and flew into the most popular in the region ,like the Slovenian band Joker Out.

The popular Slovenians sold out a concert at Dom Omladine in just a few hours, so another date had to be added. Belgrade will welcome them on the 2nd and 3rd of November.

The guys are still on the fence about their fans, when the female fans throw teddy bears on stage, as well as bras. Their audience consists of girls of various ages, but even the parents have heard about them after this year’s Eurovision, when the guys won the hearts of Serbia, which in return gave them 12 points.

Even though it seems to us that everything happened quickly, the band’s frontman Bojan Cvjetićanin didn’t agree with us and told us they’ve been performing at this level for a few years already.

From here we started our short interview, before he and the band ran onto the stage in Belgrade and had an absolute blast.

“In Slovenia we’ve been working at a very high level as a band for at least two or three years already. But we’re still proud of how we’re leading the whole band. We’ve gathered a team that’s like a family to us, so we’re all trying to do things to keep that childish enthusiasm to the max. We’re still very happy and smiling children.” Bojan tells us and continues on that he knows he’s still a “happy child”.

“Even now, when we get to the soundcheck, I behave the same as when everything started. We run out of the van, set up our equipment, joke around, consult with the sound engineers… ”

I asked him what they do when they’re not rock’n’roll stars, but the rock’n’roll star got a little embarrassed at that. However, I asked him to be serious, because it wasn’t me who filled the space in front of the main stage at Arsenal fest this summer, but him.

“We really hang out a lot, and when we’re free, outside of gigs, we spend time together. We love to go fishing.” answers Cvjetićanin and adds what everyone always asks of him; what ‘Carpe diem’, from the name of their biggest hit, means to them.

“All of that time spent together, when we always have new ideas, and where we’re never bored, which also represents a part of that childish enthusiasm. Carpe diem, that’s our day when we’re together.”

A serious career in the west is opening for the guys. In addition to their notable Eurovision performance, this year they collaborated with the famous Elvis Costello. Because of this, and the quality and popularity of their songs, they had a nearly sold out tour in Great Britain, as well as Poland and Scandinavia.

“We haven’t really considered collaborations, with Elvis it came organically. He’s a big inspiration as a musician, and at the very top there’s not many above him. Of course, there’s people we’d love to collaborate with, but as I said, if something happens on its own, then that’s it.”

Regardless of the jump to the west, they haven’t forgotten about the first steps and the people they looked up to at the start, so they always take the chance to mention bands like Siddharta or Da Phenomena, which will be familiar to those who watched and enjoyed MTV Adria.

Lastly, we asked them which bands from the former Yugoslav republics they would bring on tour with them, if they could.

“Of course, from Serbia it has to be Buč Kesidi, Vojko V from Croatia, Who See from Montenegro. We’d bring the young Slovenian band MRFY with us as well. Now, I’m not familiar with a lot of the Macedonian music scene unfortunately, and from Bosnia… (after a long thought and with loud laughter) Hari Mata Hari.”

I had to ask the classic reporter question before a gig, a little twisted though, what do you expect when performing? “I don’t expect a quiet crowd. And I really wouldn’t like for someone not to have fun while we’re performing.”

I’m sure it’ll be exactly like that. Loud, fun, danceable, with a pinch of sequins.

Scan by: IG Safursey (cover picture) & IG Komplijovana (pic 2 & 3)

Translation cr: @moonlvster

[therealvinelle]

Hi! My ask is a top 3. Top 3 favorite books, favorite songs and favorite movies. I would also like to know the last book you read, last song you listened and last movie you watched. Not for any particular reason, just want some recs lol

Oh this is a fun one!

Favorite books

I take it back, choosing three isn't fun at all.

Agatha Christie has had a little too much influence on me as a person to not get the number one slot. If I had to choose one of her books, let it be The Mirror Crack'd. Jason Rudd showing Miss Marple in to see his wife whom he just mercy killed in her sleep and Miss Marple reciting Tennessee as a eulogy was deeply formative for twelve-year-old Vinelle.

Philip K. Dick, specifically A Scanner, Darkly if I must choose

Les Misérables. Like Christie, it impacted me too much not to make the list.

Favorite songs

In the interest of giving you recs, I think I'm going to give you repeat songs that I will never grow tired of.

Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood by Santa Esmeralda, when the vibe is right for this one it's just right

Venom by Eminem, somehow my favorite Eminem song and I can't figure out why. I just really like what he does with the rhymes in this one and the song is always, always perfect for whatever I'm doing at the moment.

Drøm Hardt - Requiem 1 by Kaizers Orchestra, which surprises me too because it's not one of their flashier songs, but it also isn't one I ever skip when I'm listening to them. It's just nice. All of Kaizers is nice, every so often I remember the fact that I have tickets booked for their reunion tour and the sun shines just a bit brighter.

Favorite movies

Lawrence of Arabia and The Bridge on the River Kwai, directed by David Lean. Yes, these are two different movies, but I love them equally and they are weirdly the same movie in that exactly the things I loved about Lawrence are there in Bridge, meaning I have two movies with these wonderful things. Possibly three, if Doctor Zhivago is as good (same director, overlapping cast) as I hope it'll be.

The Silence of the Lambs starring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins. It's just the best movie in the world, the pinnacle of feminist filmmaking to the point where I was very surprised to find out it wasn't classified as a chic flick.

Unforgiven starring, produced, and directed by Clint Eastwood. You should watch a few 50's and 60's Westerns first, but I'm a snob when I say that - really you can just sit down, giddy up and enjoy a beautiful movie about elderly cowboys who angst about what it means to take a life.

Last book, song, movie

Book: I've just barely gotten started on Ursula le Guin's Left Hand of Darkness, however I keep getting distracted so this could take me years. Or a weekend if I get the mania.

Song: No singular ones (unless you count me currently blasting Kaizers Orchestra to determine which of their songs to recommend) I've been abusing my Eurovision playlist lately... The Sunstroke Project, Vesna, Go_A, and so on. Oh and uh Hamilton. Violently unsexy but so very catchy, one might even say I'm helpless.

Movie: Halfway through Remains of the Day, I'm at the part where the lord of the house asks his butler to explain the birds and the bees to his adult godson.