#but this lyric has always struck home for me

[jjungkookislife]

For Peep's Sake

♡ pairing: hfth!jungkook x f. reader

♡ genre: established relationship, easter au, college au, smut [18+]

♡ summary: Easter weekend takes you back to the Jeons for a weekend of fun.

♡ wc: 4.1k

♡ warnings: alcohol use/mention, food mention, dirty talk, oral sex (f. giving and receiving), panties used as a gag, cum swallowing, quickie, unprotected sex in a car, spanking, creampie, shower sex, mention of cockblocking, roughhousing

♡ date: March 31, 2024

║ part one ║ part two ║ series masterlist ║

Spring break was wonderful with your boyfriend and friends.

You hung out by the pool, did body shots off of your boyfriend’s ridiculously hot abs, and spent some much-needed girl time with Grandmother Jeon and Park.

Getting back into the school routine had been tough and just as you were getting used to it, Easter rolled around.

“I am not getting in the car with him!” Jungkook stomped his foot, his arms were crossed over his chest and his glower was deliciously hot.

“Oh, come on!” Jimin rolls his eyes. “We always carpool. It’s tradition.”

“Yeah,” Seokjin chimes in. “I even have an egg-stra special playlist.”

Jungkook frowns as he turns to look at you. “What do you think, babe?”

You hate being put on the spot but Jungkook would rather spend that time with you without Seokjin barking out lyrics he doesn’t know and you can only imagine what Easter-related songs he could have found. Besides, Jungkook wanted to have his car this time around. He wanted to show you more of his town.

With Grandmother Jeon possibly stopping by, he knew the chances of riding around on his motorcycle were slim to none; though he had promised you a ride around the block whenever the opportunity struck.

“Seokjinnie,” you pout and Jungkook turns around to hide his snickering. You were laying it on thick.

Your tone draws everyone’s attention, and Seokjin immediately softens.

“Just this once can we ride separately? Next time I’ll make you a playlist,” you smile and Seokjin nods, easily agreeing. Being the only girl in the friend group had its perks.

“You heard her,” Seokjin chirps. “Let’s get on the road!”

Jungkook smirks when you wrap your arms around his waist.

“Good girl,” He praises as he takes your hand to bring it to his lips for a kiss. “Let’s get going, my love.”

“Where are you going?” Jungkook asks Jimin as you stand on the porch with your bag. Jungkook had been digging in his pocket for his house key when he spotted Jimin joining you on the porch.

“Mama Jeon probably has sweets and treats, where else would I be going?” Jimin asks with a raised brow.

“Uh, maybe your own house with your mom?” Jungkook retorts as he unlocks the door and calls out for his mother.

“Yeah, but Mama Jeon always has something for me. I’m her favorite,” Jimin grins as he waltzes into the home and to the kitchen to hug Jungkook’s mother.

Jungkook sighs as he kicks off his shoes and places them on the shoe rack by the door. You do the same before taking your luggage to the living room.

The walls are covered in Easter decor, from rabbits to eggs, to carrots galore. You smile as you take the room in, spying a photo of you and Jungkook on the mantel.

“Jimin!” Aera gushes as she hugs him tight. She sits him in a chair and places a plate of bunny-shaped cookies in front of him with a glass of milk.

“Mom, we’re here,” Jungkook announces as his mother hugs him. He takes the opportunity to flip Jimin off behind his mother’s back.

Jimin cackles as he reaches for a cookie, dunking it in his milk before biting it.

Aera releases Jungkook before she wraps her arms around you. “Oh, I’m so glad you could join us, sweetheart! I’ve missed you both so much!”

“Thank you for inviting me,” you say but she waves you off.

“You’re always welcome in our home whether Jungkook is here or not. We love you so much,” Aera hugs you again before she ushers you into a chair with brownie bites covered in pink frosting. Jungkook is the last to get a plate of cookies and milk, muttering about how he used to be the most babied.

You giggle, kissing his cheek before catching up with his mother while Jimin eats one of your brownie bites.

“I know you guys will only be here until Monday but Grandmother Jeon called just a while ago to announce her stay. You’ll have to share Jungkook’s room again. I hope that’s okay?”

“Sure,” Jungkook nods.

“I mean, the two of you practically live together anyway,” Jimin announces as he takes one last bite of his cookie.

You and Jungkook nearly snap your necks turning to look at him. Your death glares make Jimin blush before he scrambles out of his seat and heads for the door.

“See ya!”

Aera clears her throat and takes the dishes to the dishwasher.

“We’re gonna settle in,” Jungkook informs her as he takes your dishes to the dishwasher as you haul ass out of the kitchen.

You grab your bag and Jungkook’s as you head for the stairs.

Moments later, Jungkook is at your side taking the bags from you.

“Remind me to crack a rotten egg over Jimin’s head on Sunday,” Jungkook mutters as he leads you to his bedroom.

“I’m sure we can get the guys to help,” you say as you grab a change of clothes to shower before getting into bed.

Jungkook joins you after his shower, cuddling into your side.

“We can’t hide in here until dinner, Darling,” Jungkook whispers as you bury your face in his chest.

“Why not?” you pout as you cling to him, running your fingers through his hair.

“Because Grandmother Jeon will be here soon and she’ll want to see us,” Jungkook reminds you as he kisses your neck.

“But it’s okay,” you murmur as he sucks on your neck, making you moan as your eyes shut and he gets out of your arms to settle between your legs.

“Is it?” he whispers as he grabs your hips, tugging you to him.

“Koo!” you gasp as he kisses you deeply.

Your hands tug on his hair, moaning as he kisses his way down your jaw to your neck until he settles for the top of your breasts.

“I wish I could bury my cock inside you, Darling. Fuck you until you’re crying for more,” he muses as he leans back, smiling.

You’re left speechless and horny.

Your eyes are unfocused as you try to breathe normally.

Jungkook chuckles as he climbs off you, adjusting himself before going to the bathroom to splash cold water on his face.

You giggle as you stare at the ceiling.

You could never have enough of him.

“Where are my babies?” Grandmother Jeon asks as she steps through the front door with Luna in tow.

You and Jungkook leave the kitchen with his parents.

“Grandmother Jeon!” you greet as she hugs you first. Jungkook shakes his head as he pulls into the hug before you’re released.

Jungkook scoops Luna off the floor and holds her. He kisses the top of her head before she’s handed to you.

“Hi pretty girl,” you coo as Jungkook and his father grab Grandmother Jeon’s bags.

“The airport is the worst,” Grandmother Jeon frowns as she’s led to the living room couch. “The number of people trying to pet Luna while I’m trying to get her to potty is ridiculous. One man asked if she bit and then shoved his hand in her mouth. We were both so shocked! Who does that?!”

“Wow!” you exclaim as you set Luna on her lap.

“You know you can move in,” Aera tells her as she sits on the other end of the couch.

Grandmother Jeon waves her offer away. “You know I live for the fast life.”

Aera nods. “The offer stands.”

“Thank you, dear. You always were my favorite,” Grandmother Jeon informs her as she pets Luna.

“Shall we have dinner?” Jungkook’s dad asks as he comes downstairs with your boyfriend behind him.

The next afternoon, you wake up in Jungkook’s arms. You struggle to get free, giggling when he groans and searches for you but you’re too busy kissing your way down his rock-hard abs.

“Fuck,” Jungkook curses as your mouth wraps around his hard cock. “Darling!”

“Shh,” you hush him as you poke your head from under the covers, and your hand strokes his spit-slicked cock. “Gotta be quiet, baby. Or I’ll have to stop.”

“No, don’t stop,” he whines, his hips thrusting into your hand.

You pause, removing your hand and ignoring the whimper of your boyfriend. You take your panties off, stuffing them in his mouth to keep him quiet.

Jungkook groans, nearly cumming over himself as he tastes your arousal.

“Gotta keep quiet for me, baby. Can you do that? Can you be a good boy for me?” you ask, unsure where the courage came from but Jungkook was an absolute puddle for you.

“Yes, baby. I’ll be good. I swear,” he whimpers through the lace as you wrap your hand around him. You stroke him slowly as you get under the covers, your hot mouth welcoming him in.

He curses when your lips wrap around him, tonguing his slit to hear his muffled cries. Your hand moves between your thighs, rubbing your clit as you bob up and down on his fat cock, stuffing you full.

Jungkook curses losing himself to the pleasure as you feel him hit the back of your throat. He chokes on your panties, tears running down his pretty face as you hold it there for a while before swallowing.

Jungkook is sobbing as you swallow the load in your mouth, crying when you pop back up and swallow.

“Good morning,” you grin as you take your panties out of his mouth and wipe his tears away.

After you suck the soul of your boyfriend, you end up spending the day with Jungkook at Jimin’s place.

“So we’re heading to the Jeons’ tomorrow like always?” Namjoon asks for confirmation.

The Jeons always held the biggest Easter bash on the block. It was a yearly tradition.

“Yup, Dad’s grilling,” Jungkook confirms. “Gotta bring your eggs for the hunt though.”

“Duh,” Seokjin rolls his eyes.

“Not the flour-filled ones, you dick. Mom banned those,” Jungkook huffs.

Seokjin frowns.

“Anyway,” Jungkook rises from his seat. “We have dinner plans so we’ll see y’all tomorrow.”

Jungkook doesn’t allow anyone to say anything as he leads you out of Jimin’s home. He takes you to his car, giggling when you ask where you’re going.

“A family favorite,” he answers.

The drive to wherever is quick. Jungkook parks his car under the broken streetlight.

“Where are we?” You ask as you look around and see the orange neon lights and the boy beside a rocket who must be the restaurant mascot.

“Starbright,” Jungkook answers as he points to the large sparkling sign. “My parents came here before they met and continued to come here when they met and then brought me and my brother.”

“Koo,” you smile softly as you take your hand in his. You couldn’t be more in love with him if you tried. You knew he was your forever, there was nobody else who could ever compare to him.

Emotions overwhelm you as you climb onto his lap.

Jungkook is in awe as you easily find the lever on the side of his seat to make it slide back to give you more room.

“You have no idea how much I love you,” you whisper as you cup his face, settling on his lap before you kiss him. His hands grip your hips tightly as you grind on him while your tongue threads with his, tugging on his hair as you deepen the kiss.

Part of you wonders if Hoseok knew this would happen when he picked out your skirt and top. You didn’t care as Jungkook bunched your skirt at your hips, gripping your thighs as his fingers rubbed over the wet lace.

“Fuck, love,” Jungkook can’t control himself, losing it when he feels how wet you are for him.

“Please,” you whimper, not sure what exactly you’re begging for as Jungkook pushes your panties aside, his fingers rubbing your clit as you smash your lips against his.

Your hands are greedy as you unbutton his pants, tugging them down his thighs in the tight confines of his car. You tug his boxers down next, grinning when his hard cock smacks against his belly button.

“Fuck,” your mouth waters at the sight, nearly drooling as you take it in.

Jungkook chuckles. “This wasn’t what I had planned for dinner, but who am I to deny you?”

You smile as you wrap your hand around his length, lining him up at your entrance before sinking on him, nearly screaming his name for the whole block to hear.

Jungkook laughs, his hands gripping your hair to pull your face into his neck. You moan into his skin, eyes shut as his thick cock fills you deeply.

Jungkook groans when you rock your hips. You’ve grown needy and hungry just being on his lap.

He’s wearing your favorite cologne and it smells heavenly. You kiss his neck, leaving a tiny mark behind as his hands move down to your hips and then your ass. His hands are full as he helps you bounce up and down on him.

The car’s windows fog up, rocking with each thrust he gives you.

“Won’t last long,” you warn him with heavy breaths as you take his lobe between your teeth and pull.

Jungkook’s eyes flutter shut as fireworks explode behind them.

“Koo!” You whimper, nearly sobbing as he smacks your ass.

“That’s it, Darling. Be good for me and cum. Cream my cock, like you’ve been wanting to all day,” Jungkook encourages.

“Jungkook!” You gasp as you bury your face in his neck, kissing the little mole that drives you insane.

“Don’t think I didn’t notice how you kept looking at me with the guys. Staring at my hands, my lips, my cock,” Jungkook smirks as you clench around his dick. He curses as you cry out his name, creaming around him just like he wanted you to.

He follows soon after, grunting as he fucks you through his orgasm, filling you with thick shots of cum before he pulls out and fixes your panties.

“Can you be good for me, baby, and keep that inside you until we get home?” Jungkook asks as you both catch your breath.

“I can try,” you giggle as you climb off him and tug your skirt back down. You both fix your clothing, rolling the windows down as the cool spring air cools the both of you down and gets rid of the just fucked smell.

Jungkook exits the car first after rolling the windows back up. He jogs around to get to your door and help you out as your wobbly legs make him giggle.

“Oops,” he grins cutely as you take his hand and he shuts the car door.

“You’re splitting a chocolate milkshake with me for that,” you tease as he leads you toward the restaurant door.

Once you step inside, the retro decor makes you grin. There are red glittery booths with white tabletops. A jukebox sits in the corner blasting an old song you’ve heard your parents play when you were younger.

The menu above the counter is stained yellow with age and the cashier smiles at Jungkook widely.

“Welcome back, Little Jeon!”

Jungkook grins as he leads you forward and his smile disarms you as he proudly introduces you to the staff.

You hope you’ll be able to come by often with Jungkook at your side.

“No,” you whine when Jungkook kisses you awake the next morning.

You’d spent most of the night wrapped up in each other. He ate you out as a reward for keeping his cum inside all the way home and then you went down on him in your shared shower followed by another romp bent over the bathroom counter in the middle of your skincare routine.

Your thighs ached and your body begged you for more sleep but Jungkook’s kisses were just too good to ignore.

“I let you sleep as long as possible, Darling,” Jungkook whispers as he sits up in bed.

You grumble before sitting up, your eyes still closed and your hair messy.

“Koo,” you huff, hoping he’ll take pity on you and let you sleep another hour or two.

“We’ll miss breakfast,” Jungkook tempts you. “Seojun and Saraí made a lot of delicious stuff for today.”

“I’m up,” you groan as you rub your eyes. Jungkook helps you out of bed, grabbing the outfit Hoseok picked for you today.

It’s a beautiful light blue dress that reaches your knees with shorts underneath so you can roughhouse with the boys during the egg hunt. Hoseok allowed you to pick your shoes for this outfit, so you slide on your low-top canvas sneakers and quickly pull your hair into a ponytail.

Your makeup is minimal since you’ll be running around for the hunt and you can hear the ruckus from downstairs announcing the arrival of your friends and their families.

Luna barks echo throughout the house, and when you finally reach the first floor with Jungkook at your side, you're all smiles.

Grandmother Jeon grins as she spots you and Jungkook. Beside her is a large box filled with Easter baskets.

“There you are!” Minji exclaims as Luna sits on her lap, barking before Aera takes her to the backyard with everyone until only you, Minji, Jungkook, and your friends are left in the living room.

“Seojun and Saraí already got their baskets and Jimin got his basket from Sujin,” Minji explains as everyone turns to Jimin, who has already bitten the ears off a chocolate bunny. He smiles sheepishly as everyone turns back to Minji.

“Seokjin, Yoongi, Hoseok, Namjoon Taehyung,” Minji calls the eldest to her side. They each receive a basket with their name written on the front, stuffed full of chocolate and plastic Easter eggs.

They thank Minji profusely as they take their baskets and run out to the backyard to open the eggs and see what Minji has gifted them.

“And here you go,” Minji hands you a blue basket with your name embroidered on the front and Jungkook receives a purple basket with his name embroidered on the front and a cotton bunny tail on the back.

“Thank you, Minji,” you say as you run around the couch to hand her a basket you and Jungkook worked on before arriving at the Jeons.

“Ooh, for me?” Minji smiles as she takes the basket, opening the card the two of you got her. She thanks you again as Jungkook helps her out of her seat and leads her to the backyard.

Jungkook’s backyard is ridiculously huge. Tables line up one side of the patio with food and decorations. Three piñatas sit against the wall by the back door and Luna runs around chasing Jimin and Namjoon.

After lunch, you’re all instructed to head inside so the eggs can be hidden in the yard. Special eggs are hidden for Luna, so Jungkook’s dad, Dae, will chase her around the yard with her basket.

You sit on Jungkook’s lap while your friends ready their Easter baskets.

Jimin smirks as he places a few eggs in his Easter basket he’d hidden earlier in the day.

Seokjin eyes him warily, making a mental note to steer clear of him once the hunt begins.

Jungkook places his hand on your thigh, ignoring the idle chatter of his friends. “We could go upstairs while everybody is busy.”

“Don’t even think about it!” Hoseok exclaims as he sits down beside the two of you with a wide grin.

“We’re all here to have fun,” Taehyung adds as he squeezes between Jungkook and Hoseok on the couch.

“Up you go,” Seokjin helps you off Jungkook’s lap with a wicked grin. He drapes his arm over your shoulder as Namjoon takes a seat on your boyfriend.

“You guys go above and beyond to cockblock us,” Jungkook mutters as he shoves Namjoon off his lap and Yoongi cackles from his seat as he sips his drink.

Jimin is working on two flutes of champagne and Taehyung bites the ears off a chocolate rabbit before tearing open a chocolate egg.

“You’re gonna throw up by the end of the hunt,” Seokjin tells him as he takes the chocolate away.

“I’ve only had a few,” Taehyung pouts but before Seokjin can say anything else, Aera opens the door to the backyard.

“All right, kids! Get to hunting!” Aera shuts the door with a smile as you grab your baskets and head for the front door.

Unsurprisingly, Taehyung and Seokjin’s broad shoulders get stuck in the doorway in their rush to be first. Like the time at Jungkook’s place, Namjoon and Hoseok crawl between their legs to get outside first while Jimin uses Seokjin and Tae’s backs to jump over them.

Yoongi grabs his drink before he squeezes between the two almost-lovers, and heads for the egg hunt without spilling his drink.

“Oh, for Peep’s sake!” Jungkook sighs heavily as he lifts Seokjin out of the way, leaving Taehyung to run into the backyard while you pause to kiss Jungkook’s cheek and run outside with your basket.

A few moments later, Jungkook is at your side with his basket.

Namjoon and Jimin are already rolling around on the grass fighting for a green plastic egg, while Dae follows a barking Luna around with a filled basket and a second for backup.

Taehyung has stolen the eggs from Jimin’s basket, cackling as he heads for Seokjin. You watch from afar as Tae cracks an egg filled with flour on Seokjin’s head and laughs as he runs away.

“Don’t you dare!” Hoseok growls as Taehyung heads for him but changes direction to aim for Jungkook. You run in the opposite direction, catching up to Yoongi as he finishes his drink and crawls along the grass into some bushes to grab a handful of colorful eggs.

“These are mine!” Yoongi hisses as you approach. You flip him off and run alongside Luna and Dae.

“I’d look over there by the rose bushes,” Dae hints before Luna nudges him with her head to go in the opposite direction.

You take Dae’s advice and head for the rose bushes, mindful of thorns as you pull out a giant pink egg and toss it in the basket with the others.

Jungkook catches up to you, his hand on your waist as you pause to rest. Chaos is still unfolding in the backyard as Jimin tackles Hoseok to the ground and Seokjin has Namjoon and Taehyung in headlocks.

“Wow! Easter gets competitive around here, huh?” you ask as you watch in awe as Hoseok gets the upper hand and cracks a flour egg on Jimin’s head.

Sarai and Seojun chat with Aera and Grandmother Jeon, their baskets filled with eggs and treats.

You look down at your basket, noting you can squeeze in a few more eggs before calling it quits.

“It does,” Jungkook finally answers as he inspects your basket. “Looks like you did pretty well for your first Jeon Easter.”

“I got quite the haul, babe,” you grin as you lift your basket proudly for him to inspect.

“I’d keep that pink egg close,” Jungkook warns as he laces his fingers with yours. “Let’s go!”

You don’t get to ask why as Namjoon, Seokjin, Jimin, Taehyung, and Yoongi are charging towards you.

“Shit!” you screech as you try to keep up with Jungkook.

“Get to Grandmother Jeon,” He instructs as he lets go of your hand and runs toward your friends. You take off, arriving moments later as Minji makes you sit beside her while Jungkook wrestles Seokjin to the ground and all your friends fall on top of the two, baskets soon forgotten.

“Ooh, you got the pink egg. Open it,” Minji encourages as she takes the egg from your basket. You open it as instructed and see a check for $500 sitting inside. Minji takes the check, signs it, fills out your name, and hands it back to you.

“There you go.”

Aera rises from her seat, as she announces the hunt is over.

Dae and Luna sit near Minji, opening eggs to reveal dog treats of different flavors.

You pocket the check and head to Jungkook, cracking eggs filled with confetti on all their heads as you chase each other around the yard until you’re too tired to continue.

The eight of you lay in a circle on the grass, watching the clouds roll by in the afternoon sky. It’s been a wonderful weekend and you’re sad to see it end but you know there will be more ahead with all of them.

Jungkook rolls on his side to look at you, a smile on his lips. “I love you. Thank you for coming home with me, Darling.”

You lace your fingers with him, gently kissing his lips. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

© jjungkookislife - I do not allow reposts or translations of my work on any platforms, this includes Youtube. 

#jungkook fanfic #jungkook smut #jungkook x reader #jungkook x reader insert #jungkook y/n #jungkook x you #jungkook imagine #hfth!jungkook #hfth!drabbles #hfth drabbles #fic: hfth

[jaylver]

SILVER SPRINGS — P.JS

synopsis: falling in love and starting a band with a man who you swore to be your soulmate was your first mistake. after your break up, you wrote a song about him, not knowing performing it with him would soon haunt him for a long time.

pairings: guitarist!jay x singer afab!reader

genre: lovers to exes, broken relationship, break up, band au

warning(s): angst, profanities

wc: 1480

a/n: yes this is another jay fic ... guilty. and it's also a fic based off a song ... guilty. dedicated to any fleetwood mac fans because this is based off their song 'silver springs' and also inspired by stevie nicks and lindsey buckingham's relationship, specifically that ONE performance. hope you enjoy this one! please leave a feedback and reblogs are appreciated!

masterlist | © jaylver 2023 all rights reserved

Who said breaking up with your boyfriend who also happened to be part of your band was a great idea? Not you. 

You blamed the fame. Something in you had a feeling that blowing up and gaining attention would eventually turn sour, but you didn’t think it would affect your relationship. It got to both you and him.

Jay, your first love and the man who you started the band with, called it quits right before a show. 

He was a sweetheart, and he has always had decent manners, but to break up with you before performing was a low blow. Maybe it was an outburst that he could no longer hold in, or he just had an intrusive urge to do so, but whatever it was, it was so unprofessional and not cool.

Obviously, you turned up on stage almost ripping the guitar out of his hand and smashing it into pieces, but you didn't. Instead, your eyes were red and puffy, voice hoarse and stage presence at its all time low, just like you. The drummer of your band, Heeseung, was avoiding the tension actively, whilst Yunjin on the keyboard was casting concerned glaces. Then there was Jake, the other guitarist, glancing in worry between you and Jay.

It didn't take long before fans figured out something was wrong, and their theories were proven correct when the news got leaked out. Just great, wasn't it? Especially when you were at your peak of fame.

"Oh, don't say that she was pretty," 

It was pathetic. Arguing with Jay and breaking down crying one night when he came back to your shared apartment to get his things.

You didn't expect your sudden outburst during then. You admitted that it was you who picked an argument first, but how could you not when he brought up his recent date?

"Did she say that she loved you?" You mocked, noticing the things you've said had angered him equally.

"Fuck off, would you? We're done, alright?"

His words cut deep, unexpected and surprising. You scoffed, turning your head away from him. "I loved you years ago, but have you ever loved me?"

"Don't talk bullshit with me, Y/N. I've always loved you!"

"Then why would you talk to her while we were together?" You choked down a sob, remembering the rumours plastered over the tabloids, ones where he never denied. That was when you began not to love him, losing sparks and devotion.

Jay was silent, jaw clenching and the grip on his boxes tightened. He knew you struck bullseye and he couldn't deny it. He was aware that he's a prick, a scumbag that didn't deserve you, so he'd gladly take all the punches from you, but seeing you cry was making him weak.

“Can you tell me, was it worth it?"

The silence followed, tension filling the air around you. He shook his head, holding onto his boxes and turning around for the door. That was the end, wasn’t it? 

“I know I could’ve loved you but you wouldn’t let me,” you said softly, falling onto a chair, needing to have a seat before your feelings overwhelmed you.

Without anything more from him, the door closed, leaving you to yourself in the home you once shared with the love of your life. Now, it was an empty shell reminding you of times you had together, continuously haunting you even as you took a pen and started writing down lyrics into your notebook.

Releasing the song you wrote about Jay was probably the best and worst decision you’ve pulled.

Despite the break up, the state of your band wasn’t affected, instead you two took the professional path and kept it together for the sake of achieving each other’s dreams. It was hard and definitely awkward at the start, but you grew accustomed to everything eventually.

What you didn’t expect was the song blowing up. The fans loved it, they ate it up, taking in every part of the dramatics of your break up. Of course, the label and your bandmates didn’t mind the fame that came along with it, but you could tell Jay was bothered.

It was the night of your first performance after your break up and the song’s success. You mustered the little courage left in you, hoping you wouldn’t crumble whilst singing the song you wrote about him, or literally any song in general. Thankfully, the set list was short, and all you needed to do was sing then leave. Easier said than done. 

You heard the screams of fans, felt the flashing of lights, but all you could think of was Jay who stood to your left, setting his electric guitar up. It might've taken you a while to come to an idea of getting back at him, but it was definitely a great one. Singing the song you wrote about him while all he could do was listen, coming on stage and be reminded of you, those could be your best revenge. 

The familiar sounds of the guitar began the song slowly, you sang naturally and didn't think much about it. That's when you felt his lingering gaze on you, the same eyes that stared back at you with love once were filled with unspeakable emotions.

As the song continued on, reaching almost the end, the tension between you and him only grew. You turned to face him now, holding tightly onto the microphone stand, pouring out your vulnerability with each word, never breaking eye contact once.

"I'll follow you down 'til the sound of my voice will haunt you, give me just a chance!" you sang harder, seeing him strumming his guitar with equal strain.

"You'll never get away from the sound of the woman that loves you," hands reaching out to him, you felt as if you were the only ones there. "Was I such a fool?"

You were professing your love for the last time, knowing he had already moved on, you were just a fool. Anger, pure rage were genuine and raw as it continuously flowed from you. 

"You'll never get away, never get away, never get away!" 

Every word from you came out like a spell, cursing him with every ounce of you. Your lyrics were placing an eternal curse on him, one that has him never getting away from you, your voice and your pain.

Jay stared back with the same ferocity, his eyes screaming loud, gaze never leaving you for even a second.

Until the last minute of your stage, you only learnt to breathe deeply and stop your stare on your past lover, legs weak and head spiralling. Oh God, you need a whole tub of ice cream once you get home.

Being left alone in your own room backstage after closing the set, you finally had the freedom to collect your emotions and thoughts, still shaking a little. It didn't take long before you heard a knock on the door, expecting Yunjin to come and check up on you, but it wasn't.

It was Jay.

"Hey," he breathed out, seeing your seemingly beaten down state.

"Hi," you couldn't believe he was here, not when you literally sang a song about him to his face earlier.

"I–uh–just wanted to come and tell you that … it was a great performance. You did well,"

"Oh," that totally caught you off guard. "Thank you,"

The awkwardness between you and him made you cringe. It wasn't an everyday occurence to be in a band with your ex and having to see him frequently, especially when he came to compliment you.

"I hate this, Y/N. I don't want you to hate me but I understand if you do. I'm sorry, for the things I've done and said. Just … don't be a stranger,"

"I won't," you said shakily, gulping in anxiety. "I've got too much love for you, it doesn't just dissipate after years. You're always going to be someone to me,"

Jay smiled, releasing a breath of relief. "I love you too, and I wish nothing but happiness for you,"

"For the both of us."

Months passed and the success of the band only grew bigger. You and Jay were on civil terms, but nothing was the same as it was.

Jay might've slowly gotten over you and the break up, but it seemed that you kept haunting him.

Walking down the streets, he saw your face on bilboards for campaigns you've shot for. Going into stores, he heard your voice playing from the speakers. Performing on stage, you were there, under the bright lights, shining and sparkling. 

He would never get away from the sound of the woman that loved him. He would never escape you.

Time might've casted a spell on him, but he would never forget you and you would always, always haunt him.

( © jaylver all rights reserved. do NOT copy, plagiarise or edit my work and repost whatsoever. once discovered will be exposed and blacklisted. )

☆ permanent taglist (open):

@silentkarnival @strvlveera @freshsaladbowl @bejewelledgirl @fakeuwus @yenqa @hsgwrld @ilovegyuvin @enhacatalog

#enhypen imagines #enhypen fanfics #enhypen fanfiction #enhypen fluff #enhypen scenarios #enhypen #enhypen soft hours #enhypen smau #enhypen x reader #enhypen reactions #enhypen drabbles #enhypen headcanons #jay scenarios #jay x reader #jay enhypen #jay imagines #enhypen jay #enhypen jay x you #enhypen jay x reader #enhypen jay imagines #enhypen jay park #park jong seong imagines #park jongseong #jay headcanons #enhypen jay drabbles #heeseung #lee heeseung #heeseung scenarios #heeseung fanfic #heeseung imagines

[fillinforlater]

FEAR----

Male Reader x Huh Yunjin (ft. Chaewon)

Length: 2420 words

Tags: con-non-con kink, change in pov, piss kink, water sports, public sex, choking, gagging, a kinky robbery, humiliation, crying, name calling, missionary, messy make-out, all the bodily fluids, roleplay, dacryphilia maybe, misattribution-of-arousal-kink!Yunjin

TW: cnc kink, water sports (pee), (role)playing with fear

Inspiration: ffs, I have no clue why my brain comes up with these. Maybe I'm just insane? Or stupid? Or too horny for my own good?

(A/N: yeah, I think I will have to take a break after this. Something very different will come up next, but I still need time to write it lol, so please be patient. For those that love these kinks, you're welcome, I won't write them (especially water sports) often.)

"What are you thinking about right now?"

Chaewon’s quiet, tender whisper is calming like a cool breeze in blazing summer heat. It takes you out of your short trance, which you spent gazing at the ring on her finger. You look into her concerned eyes, then towards her blonde friend at the bar. A heavy sigh leaves your lips as you set down the untouched cocktail.

"You know I like the idea," you start your rant, hoping it removes the uncertainty burdening your heart, "and I know you're completely fine with it. But the more I look at her—I just don't know if she knows what she really wants. You get me?"

"I think I do. Hmm,” Chaewon ponders for a second, caressing your palm, "Look, how about we ask her right now."

She turns around and with a wave of her hand she gets her friend's attention. The young woman quickly walks over, a bright, beautiful smile on her features. She stops next to your wife and straightens her postures when she looks at you. Before she can greet you, Chaewon whispers a long message into her ear. It makes her face sweaty and redder with each word.

"So," Chaewon loudly announces at the end of her explanation,"what are you thinking, Yunjin."

"I—"

Yunjin locks eyes with you. Her hands fidget, her upper body tenses up and her breath responds to her increased heartbeat. You can almost see the small muscle in her chest throb. She hesitates, even with Chaewon's reassuring smile and strokes on her back. Before you can speak up however, Yunjin's firm answer catches you by surprise:

"I still want it. I don't know what else to say, but I really want this and I don't care about the dangers."

"Alright," you respond blankly, though slightly in awe of Yunjin's clarity, "I appreciate your trust."

#

It's way past midnight when Yunjin leaves the area around the well-lit HYBE building to walk home. Dark, narrow corridors in between cold, lifeless concrete buildings are her choice, as she is eager to get to her flat quickly. Yunjin will always sacrifice a bit of lighting for effective short cuts. With her cell phone as a flashlight in one hand, her Louis Vuitton bag in the other, she confidently finds her way in this now well-known maze.

At night, she doesn't have to be extra careful about someone noticing her or the song she hums. An unreleased track, self-composed, with lyrics that have meaning to her and the other bandmates. At night, Yunjin is free to sing those words and feel a bit of burden fall from her shoulders.

A gentle breeze makes her blonde hair sway off of her shoulder and the loose jacket flies along with it. Yunjin has to stop in her tracks to adjust the leather garment. It's this time of the year where it's warm enough at night that you don't really need any extra clothes. However, each cold wind reminds Yunjin that it's good to have something on her. She can't allow herself to get sick.

It's also the time of the year where almost every night sky is littered with dazzling stars that dance on their designated spot, billions of miles away. It's a spectacle, each and every single one of them, so similar yet so different. The human eye cannot escape from this beauty, and Yunjin is no different. She stands there, star struck, the white lights dancing on her irises like it’s the parquet of a musical. Yunjin hums the melody to their performance. 

The bushes behind her rustle once. A dark figure shots out from behind them like a lightning bolt. Yunjin gasps and quickly looks behind her shoulder to see a black ski mask right in her face. Her ensuing scream is muted by a cloth forced into her mouth. She tries to escape, but the person is just too fast. Yunjin is grabbed at the top of her dress and forcefully shoved into a nearby wall.

“Money?” the figure asks in a cold, rough tone. Yunjin tenses up when she feels freezing metal run up her exposed thigh. Her eyes tremble in fear, even more so her legs. She is only held upright by the man's hand and his leg trapping her in between dead concrete and death personified. 

The man tears on Yunjin’s dress and groans angrily. Yunjin is too scared to test his patience, so she shakes her head. Her lips lose all their moisture to the cloth in her mouth, but maybe it’s just traveling to her eyes, to her sweat glands and down low.  

“Not even in that bag? Not even at home?” the man continues to ask. He guides the metal object further up, right to Yunjin’s core. A few swipes on her bundle of nerves make the young woman burst out into tears. It’s certainly not a knife that he is holding. The death bringing object right on her most private part makes her flinch, head shaking rapidly. 

The man grabs her face roughly. It’s like a slap he stopped as soon as he felt her skin. It reassures that the cloth won’t fall out of her mouth. The man groans once again. With small kicks against her shoes he forces Yunjin’s feet further apart. He then leans in right next to her ear.

“I know that you know what this is,” he whispers and presses his gun against Yunjin’s pussy, she wails, “and if you don’t tell me where the fuck I can get my money—tell me, or else.”

The flow of Yunjin’s tears is like an endless waterfall. Her hands are pleaing, begging, showing that she has nothing. No possession at hand, no money, maybe the bag is worth something, but the man does not seem interested in that. He wraps one hand around her gentle, fragile throat and slowly pulls out the gun from underneath her dress. She can look right into the barrel. There is a bullet waiting at the back, her name on it. 

This is it. Everything inside her is building up to this moment. Her body reacts the only way it can, the only way it knows how to, the only way she wants to. Instead of the bullet hitting her, the man shoves his knee in between her legs and pushes up. Yunjin screams against the gag, her fingers dig into her attackers back as she starts to pee violently. The clear stream immediately soaks her thin white panties, then runs down her pale, goosebump covered legs and begins to soak her shoes and his pants. The dark spot seems invisible on his dark pants, but he definitely feels and hears Yunjin’s eruption. 

“Bitch, what the—how dare you!” 

The man pulls out his knee and closely watches as the last sprays of Yunjin’s pee cover the dry asphalt below. He doesn’t even notice the gag falling out of Yunjin’s mouth as she makes no attempts to scream for help. She feels like all her dignity is stripped from her and sobs uncontrollably. Snot and salt water with small hints of make-up mess up her beautiful face, but she doesn’t cover it up. She still holds on to the back of this cruel stranger.

“Bitch, you are crazy.”

“Pl-please d-don’t ki-kill me.”

“Shut up,” he snarls and presses his gun against her panties again, “slowly take them off, or else..”

Yunjin’s throat is dry. Her sobs begin to sound like croaks as she leans down and grabs the wet lingerie. In the most embarrassing performance of her lifetime, she drags down her panties, feeling her own clear, barely gold liquid on her skin. She steps out with one leg, then the other, and both times the man kneads her thighs for a short time. Another breeze flies through her hair, but this time she only notices it because of the freezing touch on her wet core.

“Wring it out. With one hand, right onto the street.”

Yunjin closes her eyes as she closes her fist around her panties. They worked like a sponge and now all of her piss shoots out of the gaps in her hand. She is mortified by how the warm liquid feels on her hand. 

“Fuck, you’re insane,” the man says with awe and amusement and grabs Yunjin’s hair. He yanks her across the street, into the bushes where he came from. Behind them is a small patch of grass, where Yunjin is forced to lay down and spread her legs. She whimpers ‘no, no’ repeatedly, but the threat of the gun is right there, in his hand. Now it’s next to her head as he opens his zipper. 

“Pl-please don’t,” she whispers and her fist forms tighter. It draws even more pee from her panties.

“What’s your name?” the man coldly responds, fishing out his hard cock. 

“Yunjin.”

“Do you want to die, Yunjin.”

“No, please, no!”

“Then shut up—and do it again.”

Yunjin has no idea what he meant by this last statement. However, when he shoves his entire, surprisingly large cock inside her hot cunt, she doesn’t even remember it anymore. To pee in front of a stranger was pure horror, but this takes it to another level. If it weren’t for his hand on her mouth, not even the fear of death would have stopped her from screaming at this feeling. Pain, pain that feels great, fantastic, orgasmic even. Yunjin’s head begins to spin and her eyes roll into the back of her head.

“Hng, fuck,” the man groans and leans down to Yunjin’s face, “Yunjin, you’re fucking pretty. Great to have met you.”

A sinister laugh as he begins to bite the skin on her cheek and then on her shoulder. It’s not enough to leave marks, but definitely enough for Yunjin to feel something other than the cock hammering her pussy. It’s enormous size and width stretch her out more than any of her toys did before. Her flailing legs begin to go numb.

Suddenly, the man pushes his lip-sealing fingers into her mouth. He plays with her tongue, while hitting just the right spot inside her over and over. As she yelps, Yunjin comes to a shocking realization. The water on her face is not just tears, but also drools from the heavy pounding. Her mind becomes blank every now and then. It feels insane, better than anything she tried before. Something is building up in her lower regions and this filthy criminal gets her filthy pussy closer to another release. 

“Do it again, Yunjin,” he huffs into her face while retrieving his fingers from her mouth again— “I know you’re a kinky slut. Do it, or else.” —and wraps them around her delicate throat. Simultaneously, he begins to make out with her drooling mouth and press down on her throat. Yunjin screams into his mouth. Her body has given up. It’s completely resigned to him, but her mind is tormented by the inevitable. 

He hits the right spot, and her bladder is still so full. No, she can’t let it happen. She’d rather die and drown in her own spit and snot. It’s so humiliating, so bad, but at the same, her dopamine level has never been this high, it’s good. It will happen, it will happen, he just needs to tip her over, please tip me over.

“Or else. Now.”

The moment he stops fucking her tight cunt, Yunjin starts to piss again. A violent, clear stream erupts from her and she waters the grass and bushes around her like a gardening hose. Her hips buckle up, but she doesn’t feel his manhood anymore. She opens her teary eyes and sees the man's cockhead above her abdomen, unloading his warm, sticky semen all over the dress. 

Gooey white and runny light-yellow still shoot out of their bodies, but the two are entangled in a sloppy kiss with no care for the mess they are making on each other and the grass below. This might be someone’s property and they will surely notice. Not that Yunjin really cares, as her tongue is thoroughly sucked on and her limbs feel numb from the pleasure filled violation.

Suddenly, he reaches for the pee-soaked panties in her firm grasp. He guides her pale legs together and forces the undergarment up to her still twitching pussy. Yunjin gasps at the sensation of stained, wet clothing forced upon her. She loves how he continues to rub his thumb on her now covered clit and stares at her face, stupid from his attack. 

“Kinky slut. Now fuck off. No cleaning until your home. Or else.”

#

Quiet. Not a single sound. You’re able to close the door behind you without it creaking. Your wife will probably be asleep by now, but you want to make sure it stays that way. Carefully remove your shoes and sneak over the smooth tiles into the living room. Absolute silence. She is not here. Search in the kitchen, just a light humming of the refrigerator. There is no sound a human would make, until you reach the stairs. 

Wet squelching and soft moans. They get louder with every step you take upwards. You decide to leave the mask on and move faster, still careful to not stir up attention. The sounds of self-satisfaction come from the playroom. Take a look inside and there she is.

Chaewon sits on the couch, panties around her ankles. Three of her fingers slowly move in and out of her pussy as she rubs her clit in circles. She throws her head back against the rest and the moonlight gives you a perfect view of her pleasure ridden face and closed eyes. The squelching gets louder and in between moans, Chaewon forms a clear sentence.

“Yes, fuck her like that. Don’t stop, don’t stop—”

Three quick steps and you’re right in front of the half-naked Chaewon. She pulls her fingers out in shock but you replace the emptiness of her hole with yours immediately after. Chaewon gasps as you lean closer to her and pump slowly.

“My wife is a kinky bitch.”

“Sh-shut up.”

“No, you shut up. Keep imagining it. 

How I fuck your friend as she cries and screams. The way her body trembles while you look from the bushes. The way my cock pierces her pussy until she starts to pee all over herself.”

“Fuck!” Chaewon screams out and her body begins to shake.

“You like that? Then cum for me, Chaewon. 

Or else.”

#kpop smut #male reader insert #girl group smut #female idol smut #le sserafim smut #yunjin smut #huh yunjin smut #male reader #male reader smut #lesserafim smut #le sserafim yunjin smut

[amelee23]

Butterfly | Hwang Hyunjin

Genre: Romance, angst, poetic prose

Pairing: songwriter! Hyunjin x gender neutral reader

Word count: 1.3k

Warnings: this story contains ANGST. but it is NOT MAJOR, so I won't be revealing further information because it will ruin the PLOT TWIST. 🤫 ;;; Reader dates men, reader is called muse, Hyunjin is hopelessly in love he's literally so far gone, butterflies (?), longing, everything is poetic (cuz i mean it's me who wrote it, by this point poetic prose is just who I am as a person)

A/N: I was cutting onions and decided I want to make others cry with me. BUT I LOVE HOW THIS TURNED OUT, inspiration Ily

Hyunjin was glad he met you today.

He had been struggling with writing songs, and you were always the fix for it. It wasn't a lie, that an artist must have a muse - well, it's not that he must, but it would be beneficial to - lyrics flow out of him freely when he's around you.

He thinks the two of you might be magical - that you both come from fairytales, each one with a different life lesson to teach; and yet you met in this life, and became real. It didn't matter if you were flattened down to this dimension of existence, because Hyunjin could still see it - he could still feel it - the magic of it all.

You were always the saving grace whenever Hyunjin couldn't finish a song or even start one at all. He couldn't say that inspiration struck him when he was around you, because it was you who struck him. You, with your beautiful hand and fingers, struck him down, mercilessly, sadistically, weighed down his heart with feelings he won't escape even in multiple lifetimes. You were the savior of his career, and Hyunjin often wondered if you even cared to listen closely and picture your face in the lyrics - because if you did, you'd realize just how much of his dark and twisted world revolves around you.

But the songs he wrote about you were his upmost favorite. He has a soft spot for the one he called "Stray cat". It was when he just had a horrible fight with you, and as he wondered the streets in the dark, alone and miserable, a stray cat crossed his path. Looking at the adorable creature, Hyunjin thought to himself they were very much alike in that moment. He was also just a stray cat without you, without a home to return to. You were all that Hyunjin considered to be familiar, warm, comfortable. In a world where families didn't exist, he'd invent the concept himself just to marry you.

Or there was the song he entitled "Roots" because of some douchebag of a friend who said some nasty things to you during a vacation at a mountain resort. Hyunjin will never forget him, the way he made you cry - although karma hit back quite fast, because a couple of hours later said friend tripped over a tree root and ended up face first in the mud. That day, Hyunjin had told you "people like him are just like weeds. You grab him by the hair and pull him out without even putting force into it. It's the ones who grow roots into your heart that you should be careful about."

There was also "Moonlight"... but Hyunjin wasn't that proud of himself for that one. You were the most gorgeous fairy that night, sat around the campfire on the beach, strawberry and chocolate bits at the corner of your lips. You laughed so hard, smiled so loud that even the moon was envious. Well, and so was Hyunjin - jealousy overtook him that night, because he wanted to be the one to make you smile so bright. He knew it was petty, and he never did anything about it, never admitted it to you, but wrote a song to ease his heart. But if Hyunjin were to be honest, he'd admit he's quite scared of the day when he wouldn't love you and want you with such passion. It is this heaviness of emotion, these imperfections that plague your connection, this darkness residing inside of him because he loves you too much - these are what makes it possible for him to live musically. His entire life was an orchestra, an array of screaming violins, a theatre play with no end, an epic poem with no God in it to be his savior.

He knew not much was necessary for him to have material to write about. You just had to be next to him, he just had to let the moment happen. A comfortable silence as you're sitting next to each other, on cute wooden chairs, outside a coffee shop, enjoying the summer breeze; that's all that was needed. You were there, in this reality, with him. You weren't really paying attention to him, as you were busy tapping away at your phone, but Hyunjin didn't mind. If you were to be looking at him, he'd immediately get embarrassed - because his eyes give him away. His eyes give away the gentle admiration he has for you, the violent urge to lock fingers with you, the world ending thirst for just one kiss, the tears that threaten to escape him when he thinks of a world without you. The look in his eyes makes him feel ashamed, so he's glad you're looking away.

A butterfly lands with grace on top of the sugar box on the table, and it's like he perches up towards you, to give you a kiss on the nose. Hyunjin can't help but laugh, for he knew from the beginning you were made of magic. It was only you who didn't see it.

The butterfly is calm, gently moving it's white and pure wings, and it even sits still for you to take a picture. Then, few second later, the butterfly slowly flies away, and you wave him goodbye, as if he was a dear friend you're sending off for holiday.

You smile at Hyunjin and his heart wants to come to a stop, and yet it beats faster, and yet nothing is happening. He's stuck in limbo, in between and regression and a progression, in a present that is not related to the past, nor the future. All at once, they're happening all at once, and he desperately wants to be able to love you.

But he cannot. Because five minutes later, your boyfriend Minhyuk arrives to join your hangout, and as you cling to him and give him a kiss, Hyunjin's world goes back to black.

He desperately wants to be able to love you, but all he can do is hate you. Hate you for being so magical, so beautiful, for being his home, his moon in the sky, for you growing such roots inside his heart.

It is true, every artist needs a muse. And only you can inspire Hyunjin like this, only you can make him suffer in such a way. Only you can turn his life into an array of violent violins, only you can make lyrics flow out of him so freely.

He's ashamed to use you like this, ashamed of the way he looks at you, ashamed he's written so many songs about a friend. When people ask him what the secret behind his creative genius is, he knows exactly what it is: shame.

But he can swallow it down, much alike everything else: his longing, his pain, his jealousy, his envy, his wrath, his sadness, his heartbreak. He can swallow them down, if he puts them all in a song.

He was glad he met you today.

He's on his way home, softly sniffling on the bus, hoping no one can hear him, and his fingers are furiously typing down lyrics to a new song, called "Butterfly". Considering how much pain he feels, he hopes the song was going to be successful.

Butterfly

Whenever I see a passing butterfly,

I think of you, and with sorrow, I sigh.

From it's fluttering wings I want to run away,

"Just a little longer" my heart will say,

For you to change, I think I can no longer stay -

Because it's gotten clear as day,

That you don't love me anyway.

.

©amelee23 do not copy or repost.

*Minhyuk is not supposed to represent any real human person

I hope you have enjoyed reading! Please leave me some feedback 🙏

I'll give you a gold star if you can find some ways I did foreshadowing about the plot twist 😉

That's it have a great day y'all muah 💋

#stray kids #stray kids scenarios #stray kids angst #stray kids fluff #stray kids imagines #stray kids x reader #stray kids x gender neutral reader #hwang hyunjin #hyunjin x reader #hyunjin x gn reader #hyunjin angst #hyunjin fluff #hyunjin fanfic #stray kids fanfic #hyunjin scenarios #hyunjin imagines #kpop fanfiction #skz x reader #skz imagines #skz scenarios

[lady-of-the-english]

Tommy and Grace and Marriage Part 1

Something that always struck when when originally watching, and then rewatching, Peaky Blinders was how much Tommy wanted to marry Grace and thus how resentful he was that "work" (i.e. Russians) crashed the day he'd been looking forward to for years.

We first get to see Tommy's desire back in 1919, in season 1, episode 5, after they sleep together. We see that he defines their relationship as a true partnership.

After sleeping with her and next to her, for the first time since the war, he doesn't "hear the shovels against the wall," and he asks her to "help me with everything. The whole fucking thing. Fucking life...business. I found you and you found me. We'll help each other."

Tommy offers both a plea and a promise. With Grace, he found a true sense of love, home, and safety. He is willing to be his most vulnerable with her. As "people look different at home," in seeing her there, he hopes and asks to stay. For the first time, "life" comes before "business" with Tommy. He wants to provide her with all that she gives him. With Grace, he has the strength and courage to truly live.

The episode thematically ends with "Bring it On" by Nick Cave," emphasizing his sense of feeling strongest with Grace with the following lyrics:

"This garden that I built for you/that you sit in now and yearn/I will never leave it dear/I could not bear to return/and find it all untended/with the trees all bended low/this garden is our home, dear/and I got nowhere else to go/So, bring it on/Bring it on/Every little tear/Bring it on/Every useless fear."

In the following episode, Tommy shares with Grace his fantasy and plans - that they will share a life and "home."

He promises her that at "the next family meeting, I'll make sure you're there." When Grace argues that she's not family, he says back, "That could change," implying a future proposal and marriage.

He continues that flirtation. When Grace asks when they can talk so she can confess to him, he teases her, saying, "Oh, is this how it's going to be, eh? You waiting at home for me, saying 'What time do you call this?'".

Seeing that Grace is upset as she is wiping away tears, Tommy walks it back, reassuring that "I was joking" and that "I'm not talking about marriage," but I think that is a lie.

I think he is absolutely is thinking about marriage and the rest of their lives together. And he is afraid that he is scaring her off.

When Grace tells him, "When you come back from the races, I won't be here," he asks, "What are you talking about?" But he doesn't let her answer.

He immediately jumps in with reassurances, trying to convince her to stay and be with him. He assumes that she is afraid of being with him and that the life he can offer her isn't one she is used to or interested in.

His own insecurities and plans come out: "Grace, I know you weren't born to be with a man like me. But I'm turning things around." He emphasizes that he's going off to get the "biggest legal racetrack syndicates in the country and I'm going to close down some of that other stuff."

He touches her face to get her full attention and asks her to "remember" that her contract is with a legal "real limited company," asserting that he'll keep her safe and away from the illegal business that he wants to get out himself.

When Grace replies that she "remembers everything," we see Tommy's full desperation. He swears, repeating, "I am going to make a success of this. I am going to make a success of it. I am."

And then he switches to what is most important to him about their relationship. If marriage scares her, then he asserts that "I'm not talking about marriage," as he is willing to wait for that. For he does stumble and hesitate after saying this. He trails off, saying, "I'm so..." as he doesn't know what to say, as marriage absolutely is what he was talking about at the start of this conversation.

Tommy gathers himself, defining the strengths of their relationship. As they hold hands, he reminds her that "we know each other. We can talk. We're the same."

The end of the season emphasizes Tommy's heartbreak and confusion, but also the love they still have for each other and how they still know each other.

When he returns to Grace, she asks, "What exactly can I say?...if I tell you who I really am?" Will it matter and change anything?

Tommy replies, "I think I know who you are" highlighting his uncertainty. He finally knows her true identity and motives for being there, but he still also knows the true her since she shot the IRA man (both in revenge for her father and fear of Tommy dying the same way in my opinion).

Grace reiterates that idea. She argues that they know and love the true versions of themselves and the rest is "circumstance" and "just uniform."

And Tommy does seem to accept that. When she tells him, "I love you," he believes it despite the betrayal and lies. He tells her, "away it goes," but doesn't argue that it wasn't real in the first place.

With that belief in their love, we still see how Tommy holds onto the fantasy of their future, even if it is one that he no longer sees as feasible, at least in the near future.

Where before, he assured Grace that he'd begin shutting down some of the illegal businesses, with the mess of Kimber and Campbell and the loss of Danny, that becomes a "someday." The hope is still there that "someday I will throw this gun in the canal," and with it the implication that they can have the life and marriage he dreams of.

He reassures her multiple times that he does love her even if they can't be together now. He says that "we can say" they love each other as much as they want "but there is still no chance."

In his closing letter, he confesses that he never "loved" an enemy before her and that the idea of going to New York to be with her is "interesting" and appealing. In his heartbreak, he reverts to putting business first. In telling her no, he cites "responsibilities" as the reason he must stay.

But even in telling her no, the hope of someday is still there. He tells her he used to flip a coin to help him make decisions, and "perhaps that is what I will do again." The decision he just made is one that can easily change "within three days, " as the love they have for each other is real.

He ends the letter reassuring her that he does believe that she loves him as "Polly is never wrong about matters of the heart," and with that, he offers her "all my love."

Thus, the desire to marry Grace is not dead or forgotten, and season 2 will show us that time, in fact, does heal these wounds that leave him uncertain and unable to commit right now.

#peaky blinders #tommy x grace #tommy shelby #grace burgess #grace shelby

[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

#sorry for rambling i am very tired #also my friend and i went to a pub after last night #and suddenly ru mine came on??? #we just lost it #started singing along at the top of our lungs and made a spectacle of ourselves but man it was so fun #what a goshdarn good weekend #miles kane #one man band tour #minnie talks

[steddieas-shegoes]

Another request idea! I was listening to What a Time To Be Alive by Fall Out Boy and the line "But, baby, please, I just need someone to hold me Even though you don't even know me" struck me as a particularly good steddie prompt. Maybe some hurt/comfort? Thanks for even reading this request!

Full disclosure: I never got really into FOB. I mean obviously love their classics. Anything that was on the radio I liked it just fine. But I did have to go listen and look up the lyrics for this one because just that line had me going feral with an idea. I've read a few fics where Steve and Eddie meet at a party, which honestly makes a lot of sense canonically. Eddie has the goods, parties need the goods, Steve threw a lot of parties. This is a slightly different take on that premise. It's a LOT of hurt, and a LOT of comfort. Steve is kind of pitiful actually, and I love that for him. Eddie's super into it too. Also tagged it light dom/sub because of nonsexual type things that happen while Eddie is comforting Steve. To me, since they didn't have a discussion about it and aren't in a relationship, it could just be seen as one dude kind of being a little pushy when taking care of another dude, but that tag doesn't exist so here we are. I hope this gets posted in time for you to cry in the school pick up line! - Mickala ❤️

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

Steve should not have come to this party. Tommy always threw a huge one at the end of the year, right when his parents left for their anniversary vacation, and Steve always came.

But this year was the first year he hadn’t been invited by Tommy.

He really hadn’t been invited at all, but it was just common knowledge that it was happening here and now, so here he was.

No more crown, hanging onto his sanity by a thread, and his only friends were barely 13 years old.

Being a wallflower was a new thing for him.

He watches from the corner of the kitchen, sees the people he used to call friends getting drunk, getting high, dancing. It doesn’t seem fun anymore.

He’s glad that’s not him anymore.

So why does he feel like crying?

He holds it in, takes small sips of his beer, focusing on the bitter taste. He didn’t even like beer. Just drank it to maintain the King of Keg Stands crown

As the night drags on, it sinks in that he just doesn’t fit in this world anymore. It wasn’t made for him, he wasn’t made for it.

He didn’t really fit anywhere.

He choked back a sob, rushing out the back door of the house and down to the pond that Tommy and his dad fished out of.

No one ever went out here, too worried about bugs or snakes, but Steve couldn’t find it in himself to care right now.

His legs gave out when he reached the dock, his body sinking down to the wood below him as he felt tears fall down his face.

It wasn’t a panic attack, he’d had plenty of those, made it through plenty of them on his own. This was just sadness.

He was alone out here, not even the noise of the party to keep him company.

He was alone everywhere, really.

Sure, he had the kids. But they were kids. They hung out with him because he protected them, not because they thought of him as a friend.

His parents hadn’t been home in nearly six months, hadn’t called in two, didn’t even seem interested in the fact that he was graduating high school.

Nancy didn’t give him the time of day, nor should she after everything that happened.

The friends he grew up with, the friends he thought would be there for him, ended up being terrible.

“Shit, Harrington? Is that you?”

Steve sniffed.

He couldn’t be found like this, his reputation would suffer even more, somehow.

He wiped his eyes quickly, hoping that it was dark enough the other person wouldn’t see the movement.

“Uh, yep,” Steve managed to say after a deep breath, surprised that his voice didn’t sound as wrecked as he felt.

He turned around and saw Eddie Munson walking up the dock.

Everyone knew Eddie only got invited to these parties because he sold weed. Eddie himself only came to the parties because he knew he could make a killing just for showing up for an hour or two.

The only times he’d ever spoken to Eddie were to make sure he showed up for his own parties, offering him a tip of $20 just to come well-stocked.

He always came, never accepted the tip, and usually left a rolled joint in Steve’s room at the end of the party.

He didn’t think he did that for everyone, but he was too scared that it would stop if he asked.

“What are you doing out here?”

“Just felt like fishing,” Steve responded, slapping his hand against his face as soon as he said it.

“With your bare hands in the dark?” Eddie snorted. “I will give you free weed for a year if you can manage to do that right now.”

Steve cracked a small smile.

“Make it free weed for life and I may consider hopping in and giving it a try.”

Eddie’s laugh filled the night, loud and full of life. Something Steve needed to hear.

But Eddie sobered quickly, watching as Steve looked down at his lap.

“Needed a break from the party?”

“Guess so.”

“It didn’t seem like you were doing much in there.”

Steve just shrugged, not sure how to explain without crying again.

But apparently Eddie wasn’t going to let him get away with that.

“Heard about you and Nancy, man. Sorry it didn’t work out,” Eddie said, nudging his shoulder with his hand.

He was really close, close enough for Steve to feel the warmth radiating from his body. It was that awkward time between spring and summer, and the night was warm, but it still felt nice.

He hadn’t had someone so close to him on purpose in a long time. Maybe if he scooted an inch to the left, he would brush against Eddie’s hand just right and-

“Shit, you’re crying again,” Eddie said.

His hand was suddenly on Steve’s shoulder, and Steve shivered at the contact.

He closed his eyes and realized that, yes, he was crying again.

Dammit.

Warm, strong arms were wrapping around him, pulling him tight against an equally warm, strong chest.

He let out a sob, his chest hurting with the effort it took to hold in as much noise as he could.

A hand was in his hair, fingers carefully running through the length of it.

“It’s alright, sweetheart. Let it out. I got ya,” Eddie was saying quietly against the top of his head, his breath sending shivers down Steve’s spine.

Steve couldn’t catch his breath. The way Eddie was holding him, talking to him, caring for him, it was more than he’d ever really had.

He knew he’d never see or talk to Eddie again, so why not embarrass himself?

“Match my breaths, Stevie,” Eddie calmly tried getting him to calm down.

And he could if he tried, he knew he could. He wasn’t having a panic attack, just a breakdown he’d been meaning to have for a year now. He needed to get it out.

“Look at me.”

Eddie’s tone was different now, deeper and difficult to ignore.

Steve looked at him, eyes wide, wet with tears still falling. His nose was running, he could feel it starting to drip, but Eddie was holding him tightly, and he couldn’t move his hands to try to wipe his face at all.

“Good boy.”

Steve shivered again. He blamed it on a chill in the air, but he knew that they both knew there was no chill in the air.

The air was humid, a rainstorm expected the next day keeping the environment around them stale and still.

“You can cry as much as you want, but you have to breathe. Understand?”

Steve nodded, taking in a shaky breath.

“Better,” Eddie smiled, his face still showing concern, but relaxing when Steve started taking more frequent, slow breaths.

He felt less tears gather and fall the more breaths he took, his eyes never leaving Eddie’s smiling face.

“Doing better, sweetheart?”

Steve nodded, but he still felt the lingering loneliness, knew that when Eddie left him, he’d be back to square one.

“What’s got you so upset, huh?”

Steve shrugged, letting his head rest on Eddie’s shoulder.

“Did someone hurt you?”

What a loaded fucking question that was.

Yeah, a lot of people hurt Steve, for as long as he could remember, emotionally and physically.

But he wasn’t about to spill his guts to Eddie, even if he was being nice. He didn’t know the guy enough to start talking about his abandonment issues.

Eddie’s hands were running along his back, soft and then harder, soft again, then settled in his lower back.

His hands were big, bigger than Steve’s even, and his fingers were long. His splayed out hands covered all of Steve’s lower back area.

He felt covered, protected.

He didn’t want to get up.

“Steve, if someone hurt you, you need to tell someone. It doesn’t have to be me, but maybe your parents or the counselor.”

“Can’t tell my parents if they’re the ones who hurt me,” Steve spoke before realizing what he was saying.

It hit him so suddenly, he started to pull away, a small whimper leaving his body without his consent.

But Eddie wasn’t letting him go, tightened his arms around him and shushed him gently.

“Hey, stay with me. We don’t have to talk about it, let me just hold you a bit more.”

Steve gave in. He couldn’t understand why, or how, or what was running through his mind. He just knew the way Eddie was holding him made him feel whole for maybe the first time in his life.

He chased that feeling, sinking further into Eddie’s chest and letting the man rock him back and forth slowly.

Thinking went out the window as one of Eddie’s hands slowly brushed through his hair, then a finger slowly traced along his hairline, down his jaw, over his lips.

The whimper he let out now had nothing to do with being upset.

“Okay, sweetheart?”

“Why are you being nice to me?”

Eddie’s fingers froze, but only for a moment. Steve knew he’d never outright bullied Eddie, had probably been nicer to him than most of his friends had, but it didn’t change the fact that he’d never been particularly kind either.

His finger moved back along his lip, then up along his nose, then to his forehead. It was like he was trying to commit everything to memory, soaking every moment of this up because he didn’t think he’d have it again.

And maybe he wouldn’t.

But Steve wanted this to happen again when he wasn’t having a mental breakdown in Tommy’s backyard.

“Because sometimes there’s a lot more to people than what everyone sees and I think I see you a lot better than most people do. I don’t need you to explain anything to know you’re hurting and you don’t deserve to be.”

He said it like it was simple, like it made all the sense in the world for him to comfort him.

Maybe to him it did.

“But I was an asshole.”

“You were. But it doesn’t take a genius to see you aren’t anymore.”

“How do you know that?”

Eddie was quiet for a minute, his fingers moving back to Steve’s hair and tugging gently so he had to pull away from his chest and look at him.

“The old Steve would have never even given me a chance to help. He also wouldn’t have been standing by the wall for a party like this or escaping to a secluded area to cry. The old Steve wouldn’t be looking at me like you are right now.”

“How am I looking at you?”

“Like you want me to kiss you,” Eddie smiled.

He said it easily. Like saying it wouldn’t have made most other guys punch him immediately.

“And if I do?”

“You’ll have to ask nicely. You may be a changed man, but I do deserve some manners.”

Steve smiled at him, his charm replacing any lingering sadness.

“Oh? So if I were to lean in and kiss you that would be rude? I need to say please?”

Even in the dark, Steve could see Eddie blushing.

“I’m not stopping you,” Eddie finally said, voice strong despite the redness of his cheeks.

“So if I said please, you’d kiss me?” Steve asked as he inched closer, his breath hot against Eddie’s lips.

“If you said please, I’d do anything you wanted,” Eddie gasped out.

“Please kiss me,” Steve breathed out, his lips gently grazing against Eddie’s.

Eddie pushed forward the final centimeters, his lips warm and wet against Steve’s.

They both groaned into the kiss, Eddie’s hands cupping Steve’s jaw to keep him there.

Steve moved so he could straddle Eddie’s lap, his hands resting on Eddie’s shoulders as he finally gained the higher ground.

He realized quickly he didn’t want it, not with Eddie.

He let out a whimper and Eddie pulled away for a moment, but only to smirk and nudge him back.

“This dock isn’t gonna collapse under us, is it?”

“Don’t know,” Steve supplied as he settled on his back, Eddie hovering over him.

“Guess we’ll have to find out.”

Eddie’s lips were back on his, demanding, but slow.

Minutes passed, maybe hours.

Steve felt safer than he ever had, here under Eddie, with every possibility that someone could find them eventually and not giving a shit about it.

Eddie would keep him safe.

He didn’t know Eddie well, but he knew that much.

No one who helped a known asshole when he was having a breakdown at a party would just leave him to be beat up for kissing a dude.

The way Eddie touched him, rough hands fluttering over any place his skin was visible, lips and tongue making new patterns against his own, it felt like Steve was being cherished, appreciated, loved.

If this was all he ever got, if this is all he ever felt and tasted of Eddie, he thinks it would be enough.

Or it wouldn’t and he would never feel like this again.

“You’re thinking too loud, sweetheart,” Eddie mumbled against his lips.

“Just feels good,” Steve added, placing another kiss against his lips.

He could feel the shift, the way Eddie was slowing down, pulling away inch by inch.

It wasn’t enough.

Steve whimpered.

“Sh. It’s okay, Stevie. We’re just pausing for now,” Eddie moved back, kissing his forehead before there was too much space between them.

He heard voices in the distance, a reminder that the party was still happening and possibly wrapping up.

“Did you drive here?”

“I walked.”

“You walked?”

Eddie sounded upset.

“I’m only a street away. Not a long walk.”

“I’ll drive you back to yours. Walking this late after so many idiots have been drinking and plan to drive is dangerous.”

Steve rolled his eyes.

“I’m not a damsel in distress or whatever they’re called.”

“Ah, but you are. Crying alone outside in the dark, waiting for a big, strong man to come save you? My chariot awaits!” Eddie was helping him stand as he spoke, then bowed and gestured towards the road where his van must have been parked.

Steve couldn’t help the laugh he let out.

Yeah, maybe he was a damsel in distress. Maybe he would let Eddie rescue him.

Maybe he didn’t have to be so lonely, at least for tonight.

#steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #stranger things #steve is so lonely #this is pre-season 4 #hurt/comfort #ficlet #request

[sapphicromanoffxo]

Slow Dance With Me? | n.r. x w.m.

Pairing: Natasha Romanoff x Wanda Maximoff

Warnings: fluff, smut, blow job, natasha has an enchanted strap on (courtesy of Wanda ofc), breeding kink, pregnancy scare-ish

Word count: 3,782

Summary: this is based on the request "Wanda and Natasha dancing to that Filipino song, Mabagal. Wanda not understanding the lyrics so Natasha whispers her the translation (cus homegirl probably knows a lot of languages)😩🫶😭🤌"

A/N: so uhhh I discovered that I sucked at translation because of this. But I added a little something at the end to somehow compensate for the lack of the end part of your request? @delulu-with-wandanat 👉👈🥺

╰┈➤ Masterlist

It was one of those rare days in the compound when none of them were away on missions. Wanda seized the opportunity to delve into American music, a quest to immerse herself further in the culture of her newfound home. Vision lent a hand in this musical discovery, assisting her in selecting vinyl records and even procuring the necessary equipment. Surprisingly, the android displayed an unexpected knack for online shopping, a talent that Wanda happily exploited, particularly since Vision discreetly charged their purchases to Stark's account. Given Stark's vast wealth, a missing hundred dollars or more would go unnoticed on his financial radar.

"Darling, there's no need to buy every single vinyl for each song you discover. We have Spotify and Apple Music for a reason; they make it easy to have these songs on your phone," Natasha chimed in, observing Wanda arranging her newly acquired records in the cabinet that Sam had thoughtfully purchased and was placed inside their shared room.

Wanda defended her latest online buying spree, "Steve was the one who suggested it. I simply followed his advice, love."

Natasha couldn't help but jest, "You do realise Steve is practically a living fossil. He was born from an era where the concept of downloading music online was unheard of."

"Tasha, please be kind to him. I'm planning to share my new purchases with Steve. They're classics, songs from his time. I'm sure he'll remember them," Wanda explained with sincerity as she contemplated playing one of the records to test it out.

The gentle melodies of the vinyl graced the room, carrying a slow, nostalgic tempo, the perfect soundtrack for an intimate dance between two lovers. Natasha immediately recognized the song and, with a hint of sadness, recalled, "I know this one. Steve used to play this song a lot. It reminds him of Peggy and the life they might have had if he hadn't been frozen in ice."

Wanda's heart sank upon hearing Natasha's words. It suddenly struck her that playing this song for Steve might evoke painful memories. She hesitated, "Maybe I shouldn't play it for him, then. I don't want to see him sad."

"Don't overthink it, baby. You know what, this song reminds of something I heard while I was on a mission in Asia," Natasha paused as she recalled the song. "FRIDAY, could you please play the song we were looking for yesterday?" Natasha requested from the AI, momentarily leaving Wanda perplexed. With a gentle smile, Natasha beckoned her lover closer.

"Come here, Princess. Will you dance with me?"

Wanda's heart swelled with affection as she nodded in agreement, deeply moved by Natasha's romantic gestures. In the two years that they had been together, she had come to understand that Natasha wasn't always one for being romantic through slow dancing. Wanda knows that dancing in general was a hard topic for Natasha especially with her past. But Wanda cherished every opportunity to indulge in Natasha's romantic side.

The sweet, melodic strains of "Mabagal" filled the room, and Natasha led Wanda into a slow, tender dance. Natasha's arms encircled Wanda's waist, while Wanda's found their place around Natasha's neck. As they swayed to the rhythm, the world outside faded away.

"What's the name of this song, Tash? It's in a different language," Wanda inquired, their bodies swaying to the unfamiliar tune.

Natasha smiled, her eyes dancing with fond memories. "It's a Filipino song. I heard it everywhere when I was in the Philippines, so I asked FRIDAY to find it and translate it for me."

"It's absolutely lovely, I adore it. But what's its meaning?" Wanda asked, her curiosity piqued.

Natasha's gaze softened and responded, "Well, the song translates to wanting to slow dance with your lover; however, the song is about taking things slowly and treasuring the current moment within a world that rushes by."

Wanda was deeply moved by the meaning of the song, and how she can relate to it. Starting their relationship had not been without its challenges. They had embarked on a path with little knowledge of what lay ahead, but they persevered, taking each day as it came and learning together. It was a reminder of how they had navigated the early stages of their relationship while the world continued to whirl around them at an unforgiving speed.

Lately, Natasha had been contemplating early retirement, the desire to build a settled life with Wanda growing stronger with each passing day. She reflected on the countless times where she almost lost her life, and the endless sacrifices that they had to make in order to restore peace. Now, she yearned for a peaceful future with the woman she loved, away from the chaos she had fought against for so long. Maybe they could discuss it once the time is right, after all, they are taking things slowly.

Natasha leaned in for a kiss on the lips and down to her neck which made Wanda melt at an instant and gave out a small moan. The spy's hands travelled downwards and firmly gripped Wanda's butt.

"Those vinys aren't only the ones I purchased online, you know?" Wanda said as they parted to catch their breaths.

"Oh yeah? You've got a surprise for me, baby doll?" Natasha continued her assault on Wanda's neck and sucked on her pulse points.

"Ahhh, yes, baby. You're so good to me." Wanda arched her neck, presenting it even more to the other woman. But she can't be distracted with Natasha's ministrations. "Oh god. Love, stop for a moment please"

Natasha indeed stopped and raised her brow at Wanda. "Okay. So what did you buy?"

"I bought a strap on."

Well, that left Natasha speechless and shocked. "What? Did Vision help you on that as well? Does he know about this?" She can't imagine how the android would think of this situation.

"No, no! Vision has no idea about this. I bought this on my own. I swear!" Wanda was quick to defend herself. Plus, she can't bring herself to reveal such information to the android.

"What gave you the idea to buy that toy?" Natasha inquired with her brow raised at Wanda.

"I found one in your closet. It seems you've used it with your other girls before, and I won't allow you to use it on me. And I threw yours away." Her words carried a hint of discomfort and insecurity knowing Natasha's history, it made her uneasy about the prospect of the very same toy being used on her.

"First of all, I don't even plan on using that on you. And secondly, I purchased one myself. It's on the bedside drawer. But I'd rather see what you bought. So show me what you've got."

Wanda hurriedly went to her own side of the closet and retrieved the toy. "I've already washed it and it's ready to be used." The witch said it playfully and Natasha was impressed.

"Very well. We can test it out right now. Remove your clothes and lay on the bed. FRIDAY, keep on playing the song."

Seeing Wanda naked body is gotta be the 8th wonder of the world. Natasha has seen countless of nude women but nothing compares to the beauty that is currently lying on top of her bed. She admired the witch even more through her wandering hands. Flicking the erect nipples which elicited a moan from Wanda.

"Your nipples are so sensitive, baby girl. I want to touch them all the time and make you squirm in desperation." Natasha replaced her hand with her mouth and started sucking on Wanda's breast, constantly biting and nipping the nipple.

"Natasha, please."

"Hmm? What do you want?"

"Please fuck me with your cock." Wanda demanded. She can't stop thinking how Natasha will fuck her using the toy. She had already daydreamed about it, almost forgetting to check out her chosen items that she placed on her online cart.

"Such a desperate kitten. I never peg you to be a cock whore." Natasha continued to taunt the witch but complied with what Wanda wants. She removed her clothes and kneeled on the bed to secure the harness on her waist and adjusted the 7-inch dildo that was hanging proudly in her crotch.

"Why don't you suck my cock first before I fuck you, huh? Come on, Princess."

Wanda's mouth waters at Natasha's command and kneeled in front of the woman, with her ass in the air. She gave Natasha a playful wink before taking the dildo in her mouth slowly.

Natasha gasped the moment Wanda's tongue touched the head of the dildo, she could almost feel how warm Wanda's mouth was on the faux cock. She can't determine whether she's comfortable with this new found sensation or not. "Fucking hell, detka. What have you done?"

"I put a spell on it, baby. It will feel like a real cock is attached to you. Can you feel my tongue swirling around at the tip of your cock, Daddy?" Wanda looked up with her tongue out, teasing the pulsing head.

"Oh God. Yes." The spy groaned at the sight below her. Wanda is taking the whole length in her mouth expertly and she even hollowed her cheek in order to fully accommodate the member. Natasha can hear the obscene slurping sound of Wanda's wet and warm mouth as she sucked her cock, bobbing her head up and down. "Fuck, fuck! Wanda! Slow down!"

Wanda did not slow down her movements at all and aggressively sucked the cock like a starved animal. Natasha can already feel the tightening in her stomach. She grabbed a handful of Wanda's hair and started thrusting her hips. The head touched deep within Wanda's throat which made her gagged and drooled all over the toy. But Natasha didn't care, she continued her thrusts and then blurted out a series of russian curse words as she tried to control the overwhelming sensation in her groin. "Yes, yes! Just like that, Wanda. God, you're so good with that mouth of yours."

The room is filled with grunts coming from the widow and she leaned forward a bit to spank Wanda's ass. "Jesus Christ, baby. You're going to be the death of me. I'm going to cum in your mouth. Wanda!"

Within the next seconds, Wanda whimpered as the widow unloaded her cum inside of Wanda's throat which she happily swallowed.

"Did you like it, Natasha?" The witch surely looked so smug and so proud of herself at the moment. She was able to put Natasha in this blissed out state and she can't wait to do it over and over again.

"You and that magic of yours is something else, baby." This will definitely put their sex life on a whole different level and you will never find Natasha complaining. Some of Natasha's cum leaked from Wanda's mouth and she pushed them back in using her thumb. "Hmm. Lay back, let me take care of you now."

Natasha didn't even waste a second and devoured Wanda's breasts with fervent need. There's nothing she loves more than burying her face on Wanda's tits.

The sounds that Wanda are making are music to Natasha's ears which made her more eager in pleasing the witch. At this point, Wanda is more than ready to be fucked by the faux cock but Natasha want to prolong the foreplay.

"Daddy, please, please, please! I need you to fuck me." Natasha can hear the desperation on Wanda's voice and smirked at her lover's pent up state.

"Patience my love. I want to play with your pussy first." Two fingers dance around Wanda's slippery pussy, throbbing everytime Natasha touches her clit ever so lightly.

"Natasha! Stop teasing me, please!"

"Since you've been a good girl, I'll give you what you want." The widow lined up her cock on Wanda's dripping entrance. She made sure to tease Wanda's clit and to also lubricate the tip of the cock before entering her pussy slowly and gently.

"Ahhhhh. Yes, Daddy. You feel so good inside me." Wanda purred as she felt the fullness of Natasha's cock, almost kissing her cervix. "Please go faster."

Natasha's breath hitched when she felt Wanda's velvety walls around her and how it gripped her length in the most delicious way. She'll make sure to please Wanda in every way possible for creating such a spell for this toy. What an experience this is, her girlfriend is probably the most powerful avenger out there but she's here, casting spells to further spice up their sex lives.

Natasha can't get enough of the sight before her. Wanda's tits are bouncing and moaning from her powerful thrusts. "Baby, you feel so around me. I will ruin your pussy. You hear me?"

"Yes, daddy!"

The bed was squeaking due to Natasha's brutal pounding, making Wanda's eyes roll back at her head. Wanda's back is arching and Natasha had to gripped her waist to hold her down and to seat a perfect rythm.

Natasha then gathered both Wanda legs and put them on each side of her shoulder that way, she can penetrate deeper. "Wanda, baby. You're clenching around me so much. I love it."

This new position is reaching places she thought never existed inside her and damn, she can feel the coil in her stomach, ready to snap at any moment. "My love, I'm going to cum! Plase fuck me harder!"

Ofcourse Natasha obliged Wanda's demands as she can also feel herself being close. "I'm going to cum inside you, okay? You'll be my little cumrag. Would you like that, huh?

"Do whatever you want with me, Daddy! Ahhh! I'm cumm— nghh!"

"Shit, shit. Wanda!'

Both women shared their orgasm in perfect unison, panting heavily after their release. Natasha had to pull out so she could lay down beside Wanda.

"Natasha, you're amazing. Oh my god." Wanda immediately wrapped her arm around Natasha and gave her so many kisses on the face.

"No, baby. You're amazing! Wherever did you learn how to enchant your toy, huh?" Natasha teased Wanda. She was curious as well on how her little witch learned such a thing. As far as she knows, she's been visiting Dr. Strange in order for her to fully grasp and wield her power.

"A lady never tells." Wanda giggled and hid her face at the crook of Natasha's neck.

Natasha sighed and did not push the brunette further. "Alright, keep your secrets then."

"Can you fuck me while you're wearing your suit, love?" Wanda challenged the other woman with a grin on her face.

"You became a demanding vixen now, huh? On your fours, you slut."

***

About a month had passed, and Tony Stark found himself sinking into a state of boredom. It might sound unbelievable, but he had exhausted every possible task. He recalibrated Sam's wings to ensure more efficient flying, boosted the power of Natasha's widow bites, and completed the design for Wanda's suit.

In search of a diversion, he decided to dive into the Avengers' financial history. To his relief, most of them were responsible with their expenses, except for Natasha, who had a penchant for acquiring motorcycle parts for her upgrades. Tony didn't mind their spending habits as long as they remained within legal boundaries.

However, his curiosity was piqued when he came across a recent payment in Wanda's records. It was a charge to the New York hospital, amounting to $200 for an obstetrician's services and an additional $100 for an ultrasound. Tony's mind began to race with questions. Was Wanda pregnant? And if so, how could that be possible when Natasha is her partner? Could they have both sought a donor and undergone in vitro fertilization? A thorough investigation of Wanda's financial records yielded no clues about any pregnancy-related procedures, leaving Tony utterly perplexed.

Determined to get to the bottom of this mystery, he summoned Vision to his lab. The android, he noticed, had taken to wearing regular clothes, abandoning his traditional cape, after Wanda playfully chided him for it. She believed that dressing like a human would make him blend in better, and Vision had taken her advice to heart.

"You called for me, Mister Stark?" Vision inquired, his attire emphasising his commitment to appearing more human.

"Have you noticed anything unusual about Wanda recently, like experiencing occasional nausea or when she doesn't like certain smells?"

"I'm not quite sure what you mean, Sir. Wanda appears to be in good health. She maintains a nutritious diet, and her training with Captain Rogers and Agent Romanoff is progressing smoothly." Tony realised that questioning the android about human behavior might not be very productive.

"Well, I did some digging into her financial records, and it turns out she had an ultrasound. Our witch might be preggo."

Vision, curious but still learning about human reproduction, responded, "I've familiarised myself with human anatomy, but how could this be possible when Natasha is her partner? Two women can't naturally conceive a child, can they?"

Tony contemplated the situation and decided on a course of action. "One way to get answers is to speak to the person responsible for this pregnancy. FRIDAY, can you locate Natasha for us?"

"Agent Romanoff is currently in the common area with Miss Belova."

"Perfect. Let's head down there and question Romanoff." Tony and Vision made their way to the common area, determined to uncover the truth about Wanda.

***

After a demanding training session, the two widows had relocated from the common area to the kitchen to whip up a snack and refuel.

"Training with Captain Tight-ass is a lot more fun than with you, sestra," Yelena teased Natasha, her sister's training regimen being famously gruelling and somewhat inhumane, without even granting her a break after an exhausting hand-to-hand combat sequence.

"Admit that I beat you out there; you're getting soft and—"

Natasha's retort was abruptly cut short as Tony and Vision made their unannounced entrance.

"There she is, our soon-to-be mother. Oh! Are you preparing Wanda's cravings?" Tony asked, his tone laced with curiosity and a hint of exasperation

With one hand on her hip, the other clutching a wooden spoon, Natasha gave a puzzled look and responded, "What on Earth are you talking about, Stark?"

"Well, I'm just asking about the bun in Wanda's oven," Tony bluntly stated, clearly not one to beat around the bush.

Yelena stood up, a mix of shock and disbelief on her face. "What the fuck, Natasha! Is Wanda pregnant?"

Natasha, growing increasingly impatient, demanded, "Both of you, shut up! How could Wanda be pregnant?" She didn't even know it was possible unless Wanda's recent spell could manifest this somehow?

Tony couldn't help but relish the unfolding drama. "Wow, Mommy Natasha is completely unaware that her girlfriend might be pregnant. This is getting better and better by the second!"

Vision, attempting to contribute his observations, raised a finger and started, "I have overheard Wanda's cries at night, and it seems like she and Natasha are—"

Natasha issued a stern warning to Vision, her patience wearing thin. "I swear to God, Vision, say one more word, and you'll find yourself disassembled!"

"FRIDAY, please request Wanda's presence in the kitchen." Yelena prompted the AI. The day was quickly spiralling into chaos, and Natasha needed to know whether Wanda was truly pregnant or not.

A few minutes had passed when Wanda finally arrived, her senses instantly tingling with the weird atmosphere in the kitchen. "Uhm, what's happening here?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.

Natasha, wasting no time, approached Wanda directly and cut right to the chase, "Are you pregnant?"

Wanda, taken aback, responded with confusion, "What? Where did you get that idea?"

Tony took it upon himself to answer Wanda's question. "I did some digging into everyone's financial history, and I noticed a payment made at the New York hospital just three days ago. It was for an obstetrician and an ultrasound. Care to explain that?"

Wanda sighed deeply, a gesture that left Natasha on edge. They were all too aware that the full extent of Wanda's powers remained a mystery, and the possibility of her using magic to become pregnant was entirely possible.

"I helped a lady at the hospital because her card was declined and she needed to pay her bills. So I volunteered to pay for her expenses," Wanda began, recounting the events of that fateful day. The distressed lady had faced an issue with her payment, and Wanda, with her compassionate nature, had stepped in to assist. She locked eyes with Natasha and emphasised, "I am not pregnant, okay?"

A collective sigh of relief swept through the kitchen's occupants, their tension dissipating.

Natasha, her hand resting on her chest, couldn't help but react as she approached Wanda, "You almost gave me a heart attack there, baby. Jesus Christ." The idea of motherhood had always been a daunting prospect for her especially with her past but this incident sparked the possibility of discussing the notion of starting a family together.

"I'm sorry for the scare, Nat," Wanda said, a sly grin spreading across her face. Natasha couldn't help but wish she could wipe the smirk off her lover's face.

Just as the tension in the kitchen seemed to be easing, Steve and Sam entered the scene, catching wind of the situation. Steve, always the inquisitive one, inquired, "What's going on here, guys?"

Tony, quick to provide an update, responded, "We thought our witchy was pregnant, but it turned out she's not. End of story."

Steve, with a mischievous glint in his eye, decided to tease Natasha further, "Natasha, can you be more responsible?"

In response, Natasha shot back, "Mind your own business, Rogers," her retort laden with a playful yet slightly exasperated tone.

After a while, the boys decided to also prepare their respective snacks, and when Natasha was plating their food, Wanda leaned in and whispered to Natasha, "I discovered a song today. I like it so much. I want to share it with you."

"Oh yeah? What is it?" Natasha asked with genuine curiosity and the curiosity indeed killed the cat right after Wanda ordered the AI to play the said song.

The sound system came to life, filling the room with a playful, infectious beat. Natasha was just getting comfortable and was even bobbing her head, but her relaxation was cut off immediately. The lyrics of the song struck her like a lightning bolt, almost giving her the second heart attack of the day when Wanda began rapping them. "Oh God, no."

"Yeah, you fucking with some wet ass pussy

Bring a bucket and a mop for this wet ass pussy

Give me everything you got for this wet ass pussy!"

#natasha romanoff #wanda maximoff #wandanat #natasha x wanda #wandanat fanfiction #wlw #marvel

[midnights-dragon]

I see you like good omens and hozier... Whats your favorite hozier lyric(s) in relation to az (i cannot spell his name) and crowley :)

Oh god why would you do this to me /pos

Hrngg I refuse to pick one favorite. I have several. You will regret asking me this.

Okay. Well. So.

First and foremost, from I Carrion, Icarian. This song has always struck me as VERY Crowley-coded in general, specifically with its references to Falling, but these lyrics just punch me in the gut in relation to him; it very much reads as Crowley finding hope anew in Aziraphale after his Fall, finding something to be his home now that Heaven is gone to him; finding all of that in the angel he met on the wall of Eden.

And though I burn, how could I Fall? / When I am lifted by every word you say to me / If anything could fall at all, it's the world / That falls away from me

And then we have Unknown / Nth. UGH. Y'all. This song makes me bawl. These lyrics in particular sing to me as if it is Aziraphale reminiscing over how happy Crowley was as an angel, and how different he is as a demon; how far he is from his stars, and how much that makes his own light dim.

You called me angel for the first time, / My heart leapt from me / You smile now, I can see its pieces still stuck in your teeth / And what's left of it, I listen to it tick / Every tedious beat going unknown as any angel to me

These lyrics, contrastingly, sing to me like Crowley, doing anything and everything for Aziraphale and never asking for anything in return. And yet still feeling like he can't measure up to what HE believes is Aziraphale's idealized version of him; when, truly, the only thing Aziraphale wants back from Crowley's angel self, is for him to be happy again. To give him back the stars. (By the way - go look up the true meaning of this song, it's astounding.)

That I'd walk so far just to take / The injury of finally knowing you

SHRIKE. Y'all I have so so SO many feelings about this song but these lyrics. THESE LYRICS. They just SCREAM Crowley's confession. The words hung above / But never would form especially, and him feeling like it is his final cry to get Aziraphale to see how much he loves him, and how much he is begging him to stay, to be an us. And when Aziraphale 'forgives' him, Crowley becomes the shrike.

Coincidentally, shrikes are frequent hunters of serpents; as if Crowley is the shrike to his own serpent, and to Aziraphale's thorn. Impaling himself on it to be the shrike he THINKS Aziraphale wants. It's devastating.

The words hung above / But never would form / Like a cry at the final / Breath that is drawn / Remember me, love / When I'm reborn / As the shrike to your sharp / And glorious thorn

All Things End. THE final fifteen song. THE Crowley confession song, and THE KISS song. The EVERY song. Every lyric just screams Nothing Lasts Forever. They have never known a silence like the one fallen over them; they have never watched their futures darken in a single tear; they want it to go easy by being somebody's fault, but they've gone long enough to know that isn't what they want.

Just ... God, that entire song. It strikes right to the gut, and it is absolutely destructive in that way.

I have never known a silence like the one fallen here / Never watched my future darken in a single tear / I know we want this to go easy by being somebody's fault / But we've gone long enough to know this isn't what we want / And that isn't always bad / When people say that something is forever / Either way, it ends

Finally (even though I could go on and on and ON), we of course have Too Sweet, which Hozier arguably wrote while talking to a depressed, divorced Crowley in a bar. I don't even have a specific lyric; that entire song was sung by Crowley about Aziraphale, full stop. It's Hozier's version of Somebody To Love by Queen.

THANK YOU FOR THIS ASK it was absolutely tortuous and I enjoyed every second of answering it. <3 I'm so glad you liked my quiz!

#tristen rants into the fucking void of nothing #hozier #good omens #asks #silly stuff #personal #aziracrow #aziraphale #crowley #hozier good omens

[spadecentral]

☁ Once Upon A Dream | Lilia Vanrouge x Reader

>> requested: yes, by @pandoa >> a/n: wahhhh pando youre so sweet <333 i would love to write this, it seems so fun ^-^ also a fun fact: I listened to Once Upon A Dream the whole time I wrote this

>> masterlist: 200 follower special , here!! >> summary: you and lilia learn you're each other's soulmate through a disney song >> reader prns: they/them >> warning(s): second person pov; probably slight mischaracterization

Lilia would like to say that he has heard all of the worlds music. Ever. But when the worlds "my money don't jiggle jiggle, it folds" echoed in his mind, he lost it. Completely burst out laughing at the robotic pacing and all around lyrics. He was determined to find this wonderful person, whoever they were.

He was always a happy person whenever his soulmate had a song to share with him. He was happy since he had never heard the songs before. It gave him new excitement. Whether the song was pop or rock, he always loved it.

Then, songs that he knew would start getting stuck in his head. It was a musical way of conversation.

It struck him as odd though, when he heard a familiar tune. An ancient song that had been forgotten over time was suddenly in loop in his mind. It sounded just like it did when it first was sung, the forgotten tune to the love song Once Upon a Dream.

You knew something was up when you started humming Disney songs around Ramshackle. Why would birds flock towards you and act like they were in a trance? So of course you had to ask someone.

Your first thought was to ask the Adeuce duo. But you decided against it, because why would you expect two idiots to know the answer to anything these days?

Then you thought to ask Crowley. But then again, why would that asshat help you with anything? He's barely helping you find a way to get home, why would he help you understand why wild animals flock to you when you sing?

And then you thought of Diasomnia. Malleus seemed like he's been in Twisted Wonderland for quite a while, with the way he acts and all. And since Lilia is supposedly his guardian, what harm could it do to ask?

There was one bolt of lightning that struck down on the lawn of Diasomnia. Save for rain, it seemed like the perfect evil lair. Fit for a queen such as Maleficent.

You hesitated for a second before walking to the dorm. You looked around at your surroundings, the dead thorn bushes and the menacing green light coming through the windows.

As you neared the front doors, you tested the drawbridge before fully putting your bodyweight on it, not trusting however old the wood may be. When you reached the doors they creaked open automatically, not waiting for you to even knock.

"Er... excuse me," you asked one of the Diasomnia students. "Do you know where I could find Lilia?"

"Right here!" the fae popped out of nowhere, having heard his name.

You jolted back in surprise. You swore you would never get used to the way he just appeared.

"A-ah, Lilia," you stuttered. "Could I talk to you in private for a moment?"

"Sure," he smiled. "Right this way!"

Lilia knew something was up when you asked about a song. But what he didn't expect was for you to ask why forest animals flocked to you whenever you hummed.

And that's when he knew. There were few songs that had an effect on animals like that. And one of them was the song his soulmate knew.

And he knew that his soulmate was you. You were his soulmate.

A true dream come true.

TWST Taglist: @tulipluvlettr | @ghost-hyacinth | @gh-0st-y | @ch3lun | @oseathepebble | @ventisaircurrent | @epelys | @pastelmages | @xphantasmagoriax | @atlasnessie | @divinesapph | @mystaposts | @ze-maki-nin

#lilia vanrouge #twst lilia #twisted wonderland lilia #twst #twisted wonderland #twst lilia x reader #twst x reader #lilia x reader #lilia x you #lilia vanrouge x reader #lilia vanrouge x you #twisted wonderland x reader #@.twst.works

[photo1030]

Leather and Lace - Chapter 14: It’s Such a Perfect Day

Summary: You and Arthur go on your first "non-date" date, not even realizing it. *I got the idea for this one listening to Lou Reed's song "Perfect Day".

Just a perfect day You made me forget myself I thought I was someone else Someone good

*This stunning image was found on Pintrest, posted by Gail Hall. Awesome page, check her out. 

Previous Chapter / Next Chapter

It is late morning and you turn your face up into the warm sunlight, squinting your eyes closed to the bright light. A contented hum escapes your lips as you settle into the languid sway of your horse's gait. It is an almost hypnotic motion, one that is always so comforting to you. Sighing deeply, you eventually open your eyes to look upon the vista stretched out ahead of you as you ride through the countryside. You could never tire of this view. The rolling landscape is lush with the vibrant colors of the fall foliage that has now started to turn for the season. The grasses sway softly with a slight breeze that kicks up every now and again as if Mother Nature was to remind you to stay awake and pay attention to the wonder around you. 

You look over to your right and see your traveling companion following suit. Arthur is not as awe-struck as you are when you're out and about like this, as he is out of camp more often than you. Arthur is used to roaming and sleeping under the night sky, being exposed to the natural elements and such. But even though he is used to it, it doesn't mean that he doesn't appreciate it just the same. Arthur is not one for "city-life" and is more at home in the countryside. He is in his most relaxed state when he's just as he is now:  on his horse, casually riding through the hillsides, with nothing but the clouds in the sky and the occasional squirrels in the trees to keep him company. The only other thing that could make it any more perfect for him when he is out like this is if you are riding alongside with him, just as you are now. You are not together as a couple, yet you both find great comfort in each other's presence, an unspoken "thing" between you. And with that notion, as if he internally knows your mind, he turns to look back at you as well. Meeting each other's gazes, not a word is said between you, and he returns just the smallest grin, but one that makes those lines around his eyes crinkle with happiness.

Today, you and Arthur have spent the morning hunting, trying to stock up on more food and supplies for your group. The task has proven most successful as you have brought down two deer and a handful of pheasant. Along the way, you came across an apple tree that still bore fruit, so you quickly grabbed what you could that wasn't rotten or picked-at by the birds. You even came across a rogue squash vine that was growing along a fence post! (Probably seeded there by either critters or a vegetable tossed to the side like garbage). Elated with your score, you and Arthur head back to camp with more than enough meat and a few sacks of wild fruit and vegetables, even mushrooms, that you've found along the way. At the moment, you are humming and singing your favorite songs off and on as you let Blue wander at his own pace beneath you. You even catch Arthur humming along with you, with a few words being mumbled in there as lyrics as well. The two of you are in such high spirits this morning, but unfortunately, things are about to take a turn. When you get back to the camp, you and Arthur are faced with the wall of negativity that is everyone else's foul mood.

You and Arthur get your horses hitched up and begin to carry the meat and bundles of other food over to the food wagon. As you approach Mr. Pearson to bring him the provisions, you are met with his horrible out-of-tune singing as he fusses about, preparing whatever concoction he's planning for today's meal. It makes you cringe inside a bit, causing your nose to wrinkle with the discomfort to your ears. But Pearson's horrible caterwauling is soon drowned out by the sound of bickering off in the distance. Dutch and Molly are at it again, and everyone can hear the yelling across the camp, even with them enclosed within their tent. Their harsh tones and constant hollering seems to swell by the minute. You and Arthur exchange an uneasy glance amongst yourselves before turning around to head off in the opposite direction if you can, desperate to find reprieve.

But the two of you simultaneously halt where you stand as the off-setting choice in the other direction is not that much better. Off in the remainder of the camp, Ms. Grimshaw is after Tilly once again, the two of them exchanging bitter snaps with each other. To your right, Bill and Lenny are having a heated debate over a game of cards. And although you can only faintly hear them, off to your left, you can see that Abigail and John have gotten into it. And by the way their arms are swinging around, it seems to be a fight that is rivaling the one that Dutch and Molly are having at the same time. Hosea smartly took Jack out for a walk to get away from all of the noise, and Charles is practically hiding up on the hill, working on new arrows. And to complete the sad sight, your eyes land on Uncle, passed-out drunk already under the tree.

Your surroundings are darkly depressing and you suddenly feel very trapped, like arms of oppression are closing in around you. You and your "family" live hard lives, difficult lives, and it is hard to have moments of unadulterated happiness such as the one that you and Arthur shared earlier this morning. Which is why you suddenly feel very defensive about prolonging the lovely mood that not only you are in, but have managed to procure for Arthur as well. This man constantly exudes exhaustion, evidence of it settled deep in his blue eyes at all times. And you were just so pleased that you were able to offer him just a bit of comfort and escape by simply getting him away from the trappings and responsibilities of the camp, even if it was just for a few hours this morning.

As you stand there, you can feel your face pull up in annoyance. You were floating on clouds just moments ago after your morning with Arthur, and now you have come back to this disheartening sight. You sigh deeply, feeling your shoulders dropping by the second. You shift your weight from hip to hip, debating on what to do. Arthur must feel the same way as you, as he has yet to leave your side. In fact, instead of running off and hiding in the safety and seclusion of his tent, his body slowly drifts to move closer to yours, almost as if to shield you from all of this ugliness. "Arthur?" you quietly say his name, fearing that you're about to get swept up in the wave of everyone else's bad temperament. And as you look over, you can see your own misery mirrored in Arthur's face as he stares about at the chaos with a deep scowl quickly setting upon his brow.

"Way ahead of ya, sweetheart," he mumbles. "C'mon," he tugs your elbow to follow him as he abruptly spins on his heels to head back to the horses. You are right behind him, rushing to get back to the hitching post. You and Arthur both walk at a rapid pace and with great purpose in your strides. You don't even have to speak another word to each other as you both quickly get back on your horses and spur out of the camp, desperate to get out before anyone tries to stop either of you.  

Only once the two of you have made your hasty departure and you are out at a safe distance from the camp, does Arthur finally speak up. "So, what do you want to do now?," he asks you as he runs his fingers through his hair before he readjusts his hat upon his head. "We probably got a few hours to kill before all that nonsense back home blows over," he says nodding over his shoulder at the people left behind you.

"Why don’t we go into town?" you suggest. "Maybe skip over to Ourey? I'm sure we can find something to occupy our time there." The newer town of Ourey had popped up when the railroad expanded in from Silverton and the town was quick to build up. For its law-abiding citizens, Ourey provides churches, diners, merchants, and even a new school, while the other side of town hosts numerous saloons and brothels. So it offers a little bit for everyone, as they say, making it a fine choice for you and Arthur to spend your day together.

"Alright, then." His response is simple and agreeable, making you chuckle. Arthur Morgan can be so intimidating and difficult sometimes. Yet other times, he is like a puppy that could follow you around endlessly.

So you head to Ourey, the trip taking about an hour on horseback. The ride over is pleasant, as usual, for you two. You chit-chat about everything as you ride together and enjoy the scenery along the way. Upon arrival, the two of you begin to walk around the busy town, surveying the atmosphere. There seems to be plenty of activity and people milling about today. "Well, this was your idea," Arthur says, turning towards you as he scratches at the stubble on his scarred chin. "What do you want to do while we're here?"

You think a moment, weighing your options. Your eyes fixate on nothing, going into a blank stare and your mouth twists up and your lips pull in on themselves as a result of your deep thought. You rarely get the chance, not only to be out from camp, but to be alone with Arthur, and you don't want to waste such an opportunity. "I don't want to do anything that I don’t want to do," you finally conclude.

Arthur stares at your for a moment, taking in your over-simplified statement. "Well, that narrows things down," he says with a slight snort of derision, pulling his cigarette case out of his satchel and placing one of the smokes between his plump lips.

You roll your eyes at him as you playfully back-hand your forearm into his chest. "Look, I don't care what we do, as long as there’s no laundry tub or pan of dirty dishes involved. There's no one around to tell us what to do for once. So let’s just walk around and do whatever strikes our fancy in the moment," you chirp with a slight shrug of your shoulders.

"Sounds like as good a plan as any," he drawls, shaking out the match as he takes a long drag off of the cigarette as he patiently waits for you to dictate the next move.

You take a moment, spinning about slightly to look around the town. You can hear music playing softly in the distance somewhere. "Sounds like they have a band playing in the square. Why don't we go over there and sit a bit until we figure out what to do, yeah?" you suggest. "Sounds good to me," he agrees and he follows your lead when you tug on his jacket sleeve to follow you.

The two of you amble over to the public square where a small quintet sits under a gazebo and is performing to a moderate-sized crowd. You both find a place in the small grandstand that was built for seating and listen to the music, taking in scene. You don't get much entertainment, living out in the woods as you do. The only music you get to hear is when you and Javier play and sing together, or Dutch fires up his gramophone. 

You and Arthur sit close to each other, contently listening. You even catch him humming and tapping his fingers along to the music at one point. You try to be inconspicuous as you shyly look him over. His tan leather jacket fits him so well, worn-down and broken-in from so much use that it is almost like a second skin to him. The collar of his black shirt that he's wearing underneath pokes out and frames his face nicely. Seeing him so content in this moment of time brings a certain joy to your heart and you shuffle just a bit closer to him, wanting so much to take-in and be a part of his happiness. He doesn't realize how close you have moved to him until he glances down when he feels your leg brush up against his own. Arthur stares at the sight of you being in such close proximity to him for a brief moment before looking up to your face to see you simply smiling back at him. The feeling between you two is electric as you hold each other's gaze for that lingering moment. Its like a force of nature that is inevitable to deny and it drowns out all others as if you two are the only ones in the world. You don't say a word, as nothing needs to be said right now, but simply bump your shoulder into his in acknowledgement.

When you eventually turn your attention back to the musicians, you notice a boy, about twelve years old, walking about the crowd, selling roasted walnuts. He calls out to the people, announcing his goods to sell. Arthur lifts his hand and nods to motion the boy over. "Whatcha got there, kid?" his voice is deep but always soft when he speaks to youngsters.

"Roasted walnuts, sir," says the boy as he hurries over to Arthur, excited to make a sale. "Picked 'em myself. I got salted and candied." The boy is young, but definitely knows how to peddle his wares to a crowd.

"We'll take some of them candied ones," says Arthur as he digs a few coins out of his satchel. Looking at the boy, you notice that his hands are dirty and his clothes a little worse for wear. You imagine that he's doing whatever he can to get money, even selling nuts out of the tree in his yard. But Arthur doesn't call him out on it, but instead treats this boy with respect, just as if he were a professional adult. "Better make it two," Arthur says after thinking a moment, noting just as you are, that this boy probably needs the money just as much, or more, than the two of you do. "The lady here has a sweet tooth", he winks at the boy and he nods in your direction with a grin. The boy's head bobs up and down excitedly at the prospect of doubling his sale and quickly hands over two paper bags with the delicious treat, and gratefully takes the coins out of Arthur's hands in return. Your heart melts as you watch them interact. This man has a heart bigger than he lets on, and you are just so grateful to be a part of his life. The boy gives Arthur a quick "Thanks, mister!" before moving on through the crowd.

"Here you go," says Arthur nonchalantly as if he didn't just do the most adorable thing, in your opinion, and hands you one of the bags. You give him a demure little smile as you take it out of his hands, your fingers glancing across his knuckles as you do, saying "Thank you". You pop a few of the walnut meats into your mouth and savor the delicious notes of sugar, molasses and spices dancing on your palate. Even Arthur lets out a brief and involuntary hum of pleasure as he tosses a handful across his own tongue.

You begin to casually look around the town again and take notice of a particular sign outside of one of the buildings. Upon seeing it, an idea immediately forms in your head and you tap Arthur's leg to get his attention. "Come on, I know what I want to do next!" you exclaim as you stand up with an excited look upon your face. Your sudden movement startles Arthur slightly, and he gives you a confused look as he looks up at you before standing up to follow you. "Jesus, its like walkin' 'round with a little kid," he jokingly mutters to you. You absentmindedly grab his hand with a giggle, tugging him after you. You are too wound up in your plan to think about what you're doing at the moment, but Arthur is quick to take notice your soft fingers wrapped around his meaty bear-paw. He's too fixated on the sight of your hands clasped together to notice where you are dragging him to.

After walking a few yards, you stop in front of a large white brick building, used as the common area for the town. There is a big sign on an A-frame stand in front that reads "ART SHOW". You look up at Arthur with a spirited grin, to which he only gives a questioning lift of his eyebrow. "Really, (Y/N)?" he asks you skeptically. "Yep! Wouldn't hurt to get a little more culture in our lives, Arthur" you snicker, your shoulder pulled up to your chin flirtatiously as you look up at him through your long eyelashes. This slight movement of your body makes him want to do anything and everything that you'd ask of him right now. "Sure", he sighs in resignation. "Let's go get 'cultured'," as he waves his arm in the direction of the building. You let out a slight squeal of excitement and push open the door, Arthur's arm coming up over your head to hold it open for you as he stays close behind.

The two of you step inside the building and its one great hall, open and expansive with large windows to let in plenty of natural light. Scattered about are partitions with various pieces of artwork mounted to them. Your mouth drops a bit in awe and excitement at the sight of it as you take it all in in one sweeping glance. "Good Afternoon, sir...miss," the usher greets you at the door. "Today's display is that of Chicago artist Christopher Palmer. Pieces are for sale as marked. Please, enjoy." And he swings his arm out to usher the two of you in to the room. "Thank you," you reply sweetly, as Arthur simply nods to the man in response as the two of you walk past with Arthur protectively placing his fingers along the small of your back as he falls in step behind you.

You and Arthur wander about the room together, looking at the various pieces of artwork. The pieces are drawings, sketches done in both charcoal and colored pastels. They are of various subjects, covering landscapes and sunsets, but mostly portraits; images of people in a range of states: old and young, smooth-skinned young women with delicate curves, and hardened men with frown lines and piercing eyes.

"You could be in here, you know?" you suggest to Arthur as the two of you stand in front of one of the walls, studying a particular piece.  

"What are you talkin’‘bout?" snorts Arthur, glancing at you slightly in doubt.

"Your drawings. You’re just as good, if not better, than this artist," you flick your wrist at the current sketch in front of you.

"You’re crazy," he dismisses you, turning his attention back to studying the sketch on the wall, his head tilted slightly as he notes the lines and technique of the artwork in front of him.

You eye him up a moment, trying to think of a proper response to his ever self-deprecating comments. "Yeah, you’re probably right. You’re not that good. Really bad, now that I think about it," you tease sarcastically.

"Hey, I’m not that bad." he retorts back at you.

"Yeah, you kinda are, now that I really stop and think about it," you smile mischievously at him.

"Hey, I’m good," Arthur justifies, knowing full-well that you are goading him now and decides to play along.

"Eh," you shrug. "It’s like looking at a toddler's doodling, to be honest," you continue.

Arthur turns fully to you now, giving you a hard stare, to which you simply smile innocently, trying to suppress a laugh. "You’re a brat, you know that?"

"Yep. Most definitely," you agree, tilting your head slightly with a light-hearted giggle as you slip your arm through his to lead him to the next collection on the wall. The two of you continue to casually walk through the room, taking your leisurely time, yet you leave your arm draped over his as you do, like a right and proper couple. Neither of you would admit it to the other, but you are each enjoying the fantasy of pretending. You could've pulled your arm away from his, but you don't. You like the feeling of comfort that the contact brings. Arthur walks with his head held high, a sense of pride radiating off of him. It feels good to have you on his arm, like you belong there. He even catches the glances from a few of the other patrons, an older couple, who observe the two of you with an approving smile. Arthur is genuinely having a nice time here with you. His usual scowl is replaced with a look of contentment, happiness even. He’d never believe it, but he is that much more handsome with a confident bounce in his step.

After you have finished your walk-through of the artwork, Arthur suggests that the two of you continue your day together and go over to one of the saloons for a drink and something to eat. Of course you agree, wanting to extend your day-trip out as long as you can. The walk to the saloon isn't too far from the town hall where you just left the artshow, and it doesn't take you long to get there. There are a few saloons in this town, but you head over to your favorite one.

Upon pushing through the doors  of the bar, you and Arthur take in the crowd, assessing how busy they are today. "I'm going to 'powder my nose'. Go ahead and grab us a table, I'll be right back," you tell Arthur, placing your hand upon his forearm as you give him a big smile before you proceed to walk across the room and towards the hall that leads to the public outhouse in the back. Arthur doesn't say a word, but simply watches you go. His eyes follow your path the entire time, not breaking contact, until you are physically out of his sight. He sighs deeply with a stupid, love-sick grin on his face. Part of him wants to follow you out back and pin you up against the wall of the building and plant a desperate and passionate kiss upon your perfect lips. But no. He's just not there yet. He still can't quite tell if you are just really good friends, or if there is the possibility of more there. But he is in no rush today. As long as you are here with him now, he really doesn't care to what capacity it is.

Arthur saunters over to the bar and places his large hands on the wooden top, catching the barkeep's attention with a slight lift of his chin. The gang has been in this bar quite a few times and you have gotten familiar with this particular bartender. His name is Dave and he's a mild-mannered fellow, but you can tell that he is not a man that you want to anger. He's not as large as Arthur, but he's large enough, with thick arms and a keen eye, and able to quell any fights and such that occasionally pop up in his establishment. If Arthur had to guess, Dave has a past of his own and is using this bar as a way to "go legit". And because of that, Arthur and Dave have a mutual respect whenever Arthur is here.

"What can I get for you today, my friend?" Dave asks Arthur, as he walks over, picking up a rag on his way and gives the bar a quick swipe.

"'Afternoon, Dave," Arthur greets him in return. "Just takin' the day off today with a friend of mine. Can I get a couple of beers and a plate of whatever you got back there?"

"Sure thing. Go ahead and grab a table. I'll get Theresa to bring it over to you," says Dave, nodding to the room of tables and chairs behind Arthur.

"Thank you, kindly," says Arthur, tossing a few coins on the bar with a grin.

He turns around and is about to make his way over to pick out a table in the corner for you and him, when a woman suddenly steps in front of him, blocking his path. His eyes instantly darken in confusion as he is halted in his actions.

"Well my, my, look at you, handsome," the woman purrs to Arthur. "Just where are you off to in such a rush, hmm?" She looks Arthur up and down with a sultry look upon her face. Her face is all done-up with make-up, a little bit too much in over-compensation, and she has a tight-fitting red dress on, one that plunges in the front to accent her amble bosom. The color and the design of the dress leave little to the imagination. Arthur doesn't recognize her, so she must be a fairly new working girl in the saloon.

"Ma'am," Arthur stiffly nods his head to acknowledge her. "I'm just goin' over to catch a seat at one of them tables over there," he tries his best to be polite, clearly not wanting anything to do with this sort of thing, before trying to walk around her and move on. But she is not going to let a prospective job get away so easily. Especially not one as attractive as Arthur. She observed how kindly he treated you when you walked into the saloon together. And she is hoping to not only be able to earn some money today, but to be with someone who also happens to not be an asshole while doing it.

"Oh hey, now, hold on a second," she sings to him, placing her hand on his chest to stop him. "I was thinking you and me could go off and have a little fun together?" she leans in a little closer to Arthur, lifting her eyebrow suggestively. "My name is Marie. What's yours, handsome?" and Marie reaches down and takes ahold of Arthur's wrist, lifting his hand up and begins to play with his fingers seductively.

"None of your business," replies Arthur flatly, trying to push past Marie. But she is quick to keep herself in his path once again, still holding his large hand in her own. And this time, seeing that she isn't making any progress with him, she tries a more daring move, and places Arthur's hand onto her own chest, sitting his palm flat on the soft skin between her collarbone and curvature of her breasts. She then begins to trail her fingers along his arm, as if to entice him into her bidding.

Arthur's eyes shoot open at the shock of such a bold invitation. He stands there motionless, not sure what to do. But the weird tension between them is quickly broken when he hears someone clear their throat with a simple "Ahem". Arthur and Marie both turn their heads to see you standing there, eyebrows raised in question as you observe them, smiling in amusement with your arms crossed over your chest.

Poor Arthur, he looks so uncomfortable. And the look on his face when you've caught him, literally red-handed, is priceless. "(Y/N)! Uh...erm..this isn’t what it looks like," he says awkwardly in his defense to you.

"It looks like you have your hand on that woman’s chest, Arthur," you reply calmly, with a grin that he can't quite read. Are you mad? Do you happen to find this situation comical? But you know how aggressive the working girls can be. And you can tell right away by the expression on his face, that this situation was not of Arthur's prompting.

"Oh, uh, then it is what it looks like, but what it looks like isn’t really what it is," he stammers, desperately trying to make a coherent thought, yet his hand has yet to move, as he is frozen in motion.

"Thank you for clearing that up," you say after making him sweat it out for a brief moment. And you walk away from the two of them, rolling your eyes, as you make your way to one of the tables to sit and wait for your lunch. Arthur awkwardly looks back at Marie, who in fear of getting her ass beat for trying to steal someone else's man, has smartly kept her mouth shut. He looks down at his hand that is still sitting on her chest before quickly snatching it away from her again, a scowl on his face and the dust of a shameful blush crossing his cheeks. "Go on, get outta here," he waves Marie off quietly. And accepting that she's not getting anywhere with this one, Marie gives a slight huff of frustration and quickly moves on to find herself another target.

Arthur slowly makes his way over to the table where you have chosen to sit. You have picked one of the tables in the corner by a window, ironically the one that he was heading to himself, and you are sitting quietly, occupied with fidgeting with your fingernails, until the waitress, Theresa, walks over and places two beers on the table in front of you. You give her an appreciative smile and a gracious 'Thank you', before you take a long gulp of the ale and swipe the edges of your mouth with your fingers, as if nothing is wrong. Arthur sheepishly sits down at the table across from you. "I’m sorry about that," he finally offers to you, not able to make direct eye contact with you.

"For what? I’m not your wife," you chuckle. "You can touch whomever you please," you say nonchalantly with a brief wave of your hand to dismiss the topic before you take another swig from your bottle. "Don't worry about it."

"Yeah but…I don’t want you to think I'm that sort of man," he says in earnest, looking at you fully now, his face laced with concern. He really hopes that he didn't just screw everything up with you with some stupid stunt.

"And what sort is that?" you ask softly, your eyelids blinking slowly as you lean forward on the table, placing your chin in your hand as you meet his gaze.

"The kind that paws at a woman like that," he says, embarrassed that he even has to explain this to you, his face starting to go red again.

"Oh, I know you’re not like that," you reassure him. "That’s one of the reasons why I like you so much," you grin as you reach across the table with your free hand and wrap it around his in comfort. Relief washes over him immediately, and oddly enough, your understanding of him makes Arthur feel even better than he did before.

The day continues on, and after lunch and another round of lively conversation, the two of you leave Ourey and spend the time roaming the land on your horses, enjoying a slow pace, as if time doesn't matter; as if it is just the two of you in the world with no other cares or responsibilities waiting back home for either of you.

 As you take the road to start to head home, Arthur suddenly announces that he is taking you on a little detour. "I got something to show you," he says. "C'mon, this way," and he gives you that twinkle in his eye again over his shoulder.

Intrigued, you spur Blue into a faster canter behind Arthur and Buck to keep up. He takes you down a stray path about thirty minutes off the main trail, heading deeper into the woods and away from the more populated areas. 

As you ride further on, you start to hear water off in the distance. Eventually, the trail leads up to a small lake that the local river feeds into. It is surrounded by a thick ring of trees, tall oaks and wide evergreens, and there is a small waterfall cascading softly off to the side, carrying water in from further up the hillside and cliffs surrounding the area.

You and Arthur both pull your horses to a halt, stopping for a moment to take in the beautiful sight. "Found this place when I was looking for that Wilson bounty a few weeks ago," says Arthur, nodding his head. "Been meaning to bring you up here to show you." He turns to look at you, curious to your reaction. He is hoping that you find it as special as he did the first time that he came across it. But when he sees your jaw drop slightly in awe, he knows the answer to his query.

A huge smile graces your lips. You exchange a look with Arthur before you quickly hop down out of Blue's saddle and walk over the water’s edge. "Would you look at that water!" you say astonished, your hands resting on your hips as you gaze at the lake. Arthur slowly swings his leg over the saddle and climbs down from his own horse. He walks a few steps and absentmindedly rubs the velvety skin of Buck's nose while he watches you. You bend over, reaching down, and trail your fingertips into the cool water, snaking them back and forth and observing how the liquid elegantly ripples. The water catches the sunlight as the sun starts its journey down to the horizon again for the day. The sensation of the water moving between your fingers with a slight rippling sound is mesmerizing. You keep playing like a child, swirling your hand around and around. You could simply pitch forward into that pool and float weightless forever under its current. Then suddenly, you stand, shaking your hand dry. "Let’s go for a swim!" you declare definitively, your eyes wide and an air of excitement in your voice.  

Arthur's face twists with confusion as he is pulled out of his reverie of watching you play with the water. “What?”

"A swim!" you repeat yourself. "You do know how to, don’t you?" you ask teasingly.

“Yeah, of course I do,but…” he replies uneasily, shifting his weight, his boots scratching slightly into the dirt.

"But what?" you cut him off. You're not about to let him off the hook that easily.

"What if someone sees us? Gets the wrong idea?," he suggests, his body fidgeting slightly now with nervousness as his thumbs tuck into his gunbelt.

"No one’s gonna come along out here," you wave dismissively. "And besides, what idea is that?" you ask suggestively, raising your eyebrow at him.

"Well...you know…", he says with a gesture of his hand towards you, his face getting red again.

"Oh, so stealing and shooting people is OK for you, but you frown upon skinny dipping? Is that it?" you fold your arms in challenge, that same devilish smile sitting on your lips.

He sighs in frustration, having the moral debate in his head. Being put in such a precarious situation, he’s not so sure he’d be able to control himself if something were to start between you two. Today has been so perfect. And he really doesn’t want to risk ruining it by doing something stupid or offensive. But, then again, Arthur never can say 'no' to you. And you know it. He hangs his head for a brief moment, hands on his hips, before looking back up at you again. "Alright, fine," he caves, and you clap your hands quickly with a slight hop of excitement in victory.  

You stand there a minute, looking at him expectantly. "Well? Are you going to turn around so I can get undressed or what?" you ask as you spin your finger to indicate for him to look away.

"Oh!…yeah…right," he says, flustered. Arthur turns his back to give you privacy, his hands starting to sweat nervously as he rubs his thumb into the palm of his opposite hand as he waits. His eyes stare straight ahead as he hears the flutter of fabric behind him and tries not to think about that fact that you are stripping down at this very moment right behind him, just mere feet from him. He can hear his own heartbeat in his ears at this point, like thunder rumbling to an oncoming storm. Jesus, what was he thinking bringing you here?

It only takes a few minutes until he hears water splashing and a brief yelp from you the moment that the cool water touches your skin. The feeling of the water brings your senses to life, full-on; from the invigorating temperature, to the way you glide and float as your limbs cut through the natural resistance of the water. You swim out far enough to cover yourself before turning around and calling back to Arthur on the shore. "OK, your turn now!" Arthur turns slowly, eyes searching until they find you out in the water. He stands perfectly still, not saying anything for a moment as he watches the sun dance off the water around you. You remind him of one of those water nymphs or mermaids from Jack's stories. He instantly notices how graceful you neck is, observing how it curves down to meet your now-bare shoulders, round and soft, and already covered in water droplets that dance with sunlight.

"Come on!" you holler even louder this time, trying to urge him into motion. "You said you’d do it too!"

"No, actually I didn’t agree to anything," Arthur replies calmly, a smirk slowly creeping across his face.

"Yes you did!" your eyes go wide, ready to argue. "I said 'Let’s go swimming' and you said 'fine'! Now, get out here, Morgan!!" you demand with a slight playful laugh.

Arthur sighs dramatically with an eye roll to match. "Fine. Are you gonna turn around now?" he challenges back.

Shaking your head at the big man's bashfulness, you spin in the water again. You gaze upon the waterfall while you wait, mesmerized by its water droplets tapping upon the lake's silvery surface as you hear the jingling of Arthur's gunbelt, followed by his belt buckle. God, you so wish you could turn around and sneak a glimpse of him right now. The temptation is so great at the moment that you catch yourself biting your lips a bit in anticipation. A few moments later, after the ruffling of clothing, you hear him getting into the water.

“Ah, geez! Damn, it’s cold!” he complains bitterly.

"Oh, stop it, you baby! It’s not that bad," you giggle, turning your chin slightly over your shoulder as you call to him.

A few moments of slight splashing and then he is making his way over to you in the water. "Alright, you can turn around now," he says. When you circle back around, waving your arms around in the water to turn yourself, you see Arthur swimming towards you, his chest bobbing in and out from under the water as he gets closer.

"There, you happy now?" he asks in an exaggerated pout.

"Yes, Mr. Morgan, you have made me quite happy," you smile back at him triumphantly.

"Well, that’s good to hear," he says with just a touch of sarcasm and a smile of his own mirroring back at you.

The two of you swim about and splash around for a bit. The water is cool and refreshing as it caresses your skin. The weightlessness of the liquid allows you both a unique opportunity of relaxation that only being submerged in water can offer. The air around the lake is quiet and still, the only sound is the water rippling around you, mixed with the occasional snort of laughter and mischievous conversation between the two of you. You are so thankful that it is just you and Arthur right now; that there is no one else around to dampen your spirits and ruin a perfect moment with their own drama.

It is quite fortuitous that you decided to wear your hair down and unbound today, as you simply cannot resist the urge to get your hair wet. At one point, you tip your head back, allowing the water to encompass your hair, the sensation soothing your scalp. You involuntarily let out an exhale of pure joy.  Arthur observes how such a simple thing can make you so content, and its the most beautiful thing that he's ever seen. His eyes glide down over your neck and on down to your collarbone, relishing the sight of your exposed skin, what little he can see. He watches as you raise your arms up to run your hands through your hair and then down again to fan out across the water's surface as you float there; an angel spreading its wings. Arthur swears his heart is about to burst right here and now within his chest. And then, it dawns on him that now is just as good a time as any to tell you what he's been practicing in his head for a long time now.

"Listen, (Y/N)," he says, catching your attention as you level your head again to meet his eyes. Arthur takes a deep breath. "There’s something I-“

"Oh my God Arthur, look!" you interrupt him suddenly with a shocked look upon your face as you point over his shoulder at the shore behind him. Confused, Arthur quickly spins around in the water to follow your line of sight and there he sees the object of your distraction. A couple of pudgy, rambunctious brown bear cubs have come bumbling out of the woods and down to the water to play. They do not notice you and Arthur and, therefore, pay you no mind. But eventually, a slowly ambling momma bear comes up behind her cubs to keep a careful eye on her offspring. The two little cubs are walking along the small beach, sniffing about, and begin to nose around your discarded clothing that they have found.

It is an awesome sight to see, but it doesn't take long before you realize the danger that you are now in. At best, you and Arthur are trapped, naked, in the water. Worst case scenario, that momma bear sees you and decides that you are a threat to her babes. You are suddenly thankful that you decided to let the horses wander untethered, safely away from this predator. You turn your head about quickly to check on them and can see the horses safely grazing off in the distance in the field adjacent to the beach.

"Arthur?" you whisper his name uneasily, swimming closer to him, your eyes never leaving the bears.

"It’s OK," he says quietly, slowly stretching his arm out to protectively move you behind him, yet keeping his steel-blue eyes keenly fixed on the shore as well. "Just stay quiet and as long as we make no advance towards the cubs we should be alright." You simply nod your head silently, obeying his instructions, yet watching the animals carefully.

You and Arthur sit motionless in the water, carefully watching the bear family move about. The adrenaline that courses through your veins is both terrifying and almost exhilarating at the same time. You both just pray that the momma stays calm. The bears sniff around curiously for about twenty minutes before they decide to slowly move on. Fortunately for you and Arthur, there is no commotion or problem from them at all. They are simply out scrounging for food before retiring for the evening. As you watch them make their way into the woods again, you slowly roll your eyes back into your head in relief. Once the bears are out of sight, you lean in closer to Arthur and whisper, "I think it’s time to go."

"I wholly agree," he nods. "I’ll go first, make sure it’s clear, and then you come on out," he says quietly over his shoulder, still wanting to keep his movements slow and calculated.  

"OK, but be careful!" you warn in a hushed tone, concern lacing across your eyebrows as you watch him start wading back to the beach.  

As he gets close to shore, Arthur is about to stand up and suddenly remembers that he’s still naked. “Turn around again!” he waves back at you as you still wait back in the depth of the water.

"But what if you get mauled by a bear?!" you ask, alarmed at the thought of letting Arthur out of your sight for even a second.

“Woman, if I get mauled by a bear, what in the hell are you going to do about it?!” he reminds you exasperatedly, looking at you like you're crazy.

"Oh...right...good point. OK," you say awkwardly, realizing how ridiculous you sound, before you spin around again, allowing Arthur to proceed to shore in discretion.

The man cautiously emerges from the water, looking left and right for any sign of the bears again, as he makes his way to your pile of clothes. He grabs a rag out of his satchel and hastily dries himself off before getting dressed in at least his union suit and jeans. He swipes his hands together, one across the other nervously, as he looks around for any lingering sign of the bears, before deciding that you are out of harm's way.

"Alright, you’re safe to come out," he calls out to the water to you and waves you in, as he spins around for you, now, to make your way to the beach as well.

Quickly, you swim to the shore and once out of the water, you snatch up the bit of cloth Arthur used to dry himself with before you, and start to get dressed, hastily pulling your loose blouse over your head first before fumbling with your skirt.

"I can not believe that just happened!" you say with a chuckle, totally amazed as your fingers work to retie the lacing of your skirt.

But Arthur is less than impressed at the moment as he turns to finish getting dressed. "It’s always something with you, isn’t it?" he asks, rolling his eyes with a huff, shoving his arms through the sleeves of his shirt.

"Oh, come on, now, we’ve had a wonderful day today, Arthur. And you have to admit, seeing those bears was pretty amazing, right?!" Your arms are outstretched emphatically towards him, holding your palms up to accent your point as your face lights up with excitement, so full of life.

“Sure”, he deadpans as he secures his gun belt.

"Oh, come on, Arthur," you whine again. "Don’t be like that…please?" 

Arthur just simply can't get over you. You could have been mauled by a bear, and left to float in the lake, naked, for the fish to eat. Yet here you are, thinking that this was an 'amazing experience'.

And he simply chuckles in disbelief, as he gives you a reluctant smile and shakes his head at the very wonder of you. "Yeah, OK. If we can manage to get back to camp in one piece today, I’ll admit, it’s been a perfect day."

A/N:  OK, so for those who have been following this storyline, we are finally coming to the big moment that my slow-burn has been building to. The next “chapter” will be “Feelings Revealed”. Super excited, as I have been working on that one for almost a year now. I do have an “ask” that I am going to write first (so excited, its my first “ask” ever!) but then on to the “main event”. Stay tuned...

#arthur morgan #arthur morgan x reader #arthur morgan x female reader #arthur morgan x f!reader #arthur morgan x reader fluff #rdr2 #red dead redemption 2 #rdr2 fanfic

[dustedmagazine]

Listening Post: Kim Gordon

Kim Gordon has long been one of rock’s female icons, one of a tiny handful of women to get much play in Michael Azzerad’s underground-defining Our Band Could Be Your Life and a mainstay in the noise-rock monolith Sonic Youth. It’s hard to imagine that quintessential dude rock band without Gordon in front, dwarfed by her bass or spitting tranced out, pissed off verses over the storm of feedback.

Yet Gordon’s trajectory has been, if anything, even more fascinating since Sonic Youth’s demise in 2011. A visual artist first — she studied art at the Otis College of Art and Design before joining the band — she continues to paint and sculpt and create. She’s had solo art shows at established galleries in London and New York, most recently at the 303 Gallery in New York City. A veteran of indie films including Gus van Zant’s Last Days and Todd Haynes I’m Not There, she has also continued to act sporadically, appearing in the HBO series Girls and on an episode of Portlandia. Her memoir, Girl in a Band, came out in 2015.

But Gordon has remained surprisingly entrenched in indie music over the last decade. Many critics, including a few at Dusted, consider her Body Head, collaboration with Bill Nace the best of the post-Sonic Youth musical projects. The ensemble has now produced two EPs and three full-lengths. Gordon has also released two solo albums, which push her iconic voice into noisier, more hip hop influenced directions. We’re centering this listening post around The Collective, Gordon’s second and more recent solo effort, which comes out on Matador on March 8th, but we’ll likely also be talking about her other projects as well.

Intro by Jennifer Kelly

Jennifer Kelly: I missed No Home in 2019, so I was somewhat surprised by The Collective’s abrasive, beat-driven sound though I guess you could make connections to Sonic Youth’s Cypress Hill collaboration?

The more I listen to it, though, the more it makes sense to me. I’ve always liked the way Gordon plays with gender stereotypes, and “I’m a Man” certainly follows that trajectory. What are you guys hearing in The Collective?

Jonathan Shaw: I have only listened through the entire record once, but I am also struck by its intensities. Sort of silly to be surprised by that, given so many of the places she has taken us in the past: noisy, dangerous, dark. But there's an undercurrent of violence to these sounds that couples onto the more confrontational invocations and dramatizations of sex. It's a strong set of gestures. I like the record quite a bit.

Bill Meyer: I'm one of those who hold Body/Head to be the best effort of the post-Sonic Youth projects, but I'll also say that it's very much a band that creates a context for Gordon to do something great, not a solo effort. I was not so taken with No Home, which I played halfway through once upon its release and did not return to until we agreed to have this discussion. I've played both albums through once now, and my first impression is that No Home feels scattered in a classic post-band-breakup project fashion — “let's do a bit of this and that and see what sticks.” The Collective feels much more cohesive sonically, in a purposeful, “I'm going to do THIS” kind of way.

Jonathan Shaw: RE Jennifer's comment about “I'm a Man”: Agreed. The sonics are very noise-adjacent, reminding me of what the Body has been up to lately, or deeper underground acts like 8 Hour Animal or Kontravoid's less dancy stuff. Those acts skew masculine (though the Body has taken pains recently to problematize the semiotics of those photos of them with lots of guns and big dogs...). Gordon's voice and lyrics make things so much more explicit without ever tipping over into the didactic. And somehow her energy is in tune with the abrasive textures of the music, but still activates an ironic distance from it. In the next song, “Trophies,” I love it when she asks, “Will you go bowling with me?” The sexed-up antics that follow are simultaneously compelling and sort of funny. Rarely has bowling felt so eroticized.

Jennifer Kelly: I got interested in the beats and did a YouTube dive on some of the other music that Justin Raisen has been involved with. He's in an interesting place, working for hip hop artists (Lil Yachty, Drake), pop stars (Charli XCX) and punk or at least punk adjacent artists (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Viagra Boys), but nothing I've found is as raw and walloping as these cuts.

“The Candy House” is apparently inspired by Jennifer Egan's The Candy House, which is about a technology that enables people to share memories... Gordon is pretty interested in phones and communications tech and how that's changing art and human interaction.

Andrew Forell: My immediate reaction to the beats was oh, The Bug and JK Flesh, in particular the MachineEPs by the former and Sewer Bait by the latter. Unsurprisingly, as Jonathan says, she sounds right at home within that kind of dirty noise but is never subsumed by it

Jennifer Kelly: I don't have a deep reference pool in electronics, but it reminded me of Shackleton and some of the first wave dub steppers. Also, a certain kind of late 1990s/early aughts underground hip hop like Cannibal Ox and Dalek.

Bryon Hayes: Yeah, I hear some Dalek in there, too. Also, the first Death Grips mixtape, Ex-Military.

It's funny, I saw the track title “I'm a Man,” and my mind immediately went to Bo Diddley for some reason, I should have known that Kim would flip the script, and do it in such a humorous way. I love how she sends up both the macho country-lovin’ bros and the sensitive metrosexual guys. It's brilliant!

This has me thinking about “Kool Thing”, and how Chuck D acts as the ‘hype man’ to Kim Gordon in that song. I'm pretty sure that was unusual for hip hop at the time. Kim's got a long history of messing with gender stereotypes.

Bill Meyer: Gordon did a couple videos for this record, and she starred her daughter Coco in both of them. The one for “I'm A Man” teases out elements of gender fluidity, how that might be expressed through clothing, and different kinds of watching. I found the video for “Bye Bye” more interesting. All the merchandise that's listed in the video turns out to be a survival kit, one that I imagine that Gordon would know that she has to have to get by. The protagonist of the video doesn't know that, and their unspoken moment in a car before Coco runs again was poignant in a way that I don't associate with her work. And of messing with hip hop!

Tim Clarke: “Bye Bye” feels like a companion to The Fall’s “Dr Buck’s Letter.”

Bill Meyer: From The Unutterable? I'll have to a-b them.

Tim Clarke: That’s the one.

Jonathan Shaw: All of these comments make me think of the record’s title, and the repeated line in “The Candy House”: “I want to join the collective.” Which one? The phone on the record’s cover nods toward our various digital collectives — spaces for communication and expression, and spaces for commerce, all of which seem to be harder and harder to tell apart. A candy house, indeed. Why is it pink? Does she have a feminine collective in mind? A feminine collective unconscious? The various voices and lyric modes on the record suggest that's a possibility. For certain women, and for certain men working hard to understand women, Gordon has been a key member of that collective for decades.

Jennifer Kelly: The title is also the title of a painting from her last show in New York.

The holes are cell phone sized.

You can read about the show here, but here's a representative quote: “The iPhone promises freedom, and control over communication,” she says. “It’s an outlet of self-expression, and an escape and a distraction from the bigger picture of what’s going on in the world. It’s also useful for making paintings.”

Gordon is a woman, and a woman over 70 at that — by any measure an underrepresented perspective in popular culture. However, I’d caution against reading The Collective solely as a feminist statement. “I'm a Man,” for instance, is told from the perspective of an incel male, an act of storytelling and empathy not propaganda. My sense is that Gordon is pretty sick of being asked, “What's it like to be a girl in a band?” (per “Sacred Trickster”) and would like, maybe, to be considered as an artist.

It's partly a generational thing. I'm a little younger than she is, but we both grew up in the patriarchy and mostly encountered gender as an external restriction.

As an aside, one of my proudest moments was when Lucas Jensen interviewed me about what it was like to be a freelance music writer, anonymously, and Robert Christgau wrote an elaborate critique of the piece that absolutely assumed I was a guy. If you're not on a date or getting married or booking reproductive care, whose business is it what gender you are?

There, that's a can of worms, isn't it?

Jonathan Shaw: Feminine isn't feminist. I haven't listened nearly closely enough to the record to hazard an opinion about that. More important, it seems to me the masculine must be in the feminine unconsciousness, and the other way around, too. Precisely because femininity has been used as a political weapon, it needs imagining in artistic spaces. Guess I also think those terms more discursively than otherwise: there are male authors who have demonstrated enormous facility with representing femininity. James, Joyce, Kleist, and so on. Gordon has always spoken and sung in ways that transcend a second-wave sort of feminine essence. “Shaking Hell,” “PCH,” the way she sings “I Wanna Be Your Dog.”

Jennifer Kelly: Sure, she has always been shape-shifter artistically.

The lyrics are super interesting, but almost obliterated by noise. I’m seeing a connection to our hyperconnected digital society where everything is said but it’s hard to listen and focus.

Bill Meyer: Concrete guy that I am, I’ve found myself wishing I had a lyric sheet even though her voice is typically the loudest instrument in the mix.

Andrew Forell: Yes, that sense of being subsumed in the white noise of (dis)information and opinion feels like the utopian ideal of democratizing access has become a cause and conduit of alienation in which the notion of authentic voices has been rendered moot. It feels integral to the album as a metaphor

Christian Carey: How much of the blurring of vocals (good lyrics — mind you) might involve Kim’s personal biography, I wonder? From her memoirs, we know how much she wished for a deflection of a number of things, most having to do with Thurston and the disbandment of SY.

Thurston was interviewed recently and said that he felt SY would regroup and be able to be professional about things. He remarked that it better be soon: SY at eighty wouldn’t be a good look!

Andrew Forell: And therein lies something essential about why that could never happen

Ian Mathers: I know I’m far in the minority here (and elsewhere) because I’ve just never found Sonic Youth that compelling, despite several attempts over the years to give them another chance. And for specifically finding Thurston Moore to be an annoying vocal presence (long before I knew anything about his personal life, for what it's worth). So, I’m in no hurry to see them reunite, although I do think it would be both funny and good if everyone except Moore got back together.

Having not kept up with Gordon much post-SY beyond reading and enjoying her book, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this record. After a couple of listens, I’m almost surprised how much I like it. Even though I’m lukewarm on SY’s music, she’s always been a commanding vocal presence and lyricist and that hasn’t changed here (I can echo all the praise for “I’m a Man,” and also “I was supposed to save you/but you got a job” is so bathetically funny) and I like the noisier, thornier backing she has here. I also think the parts where the record gets a bit more sparse (“Shelf Warmer”) or diffuse (“Psychic Orgasm”) still work. I've enjoyed seeing all the comparisons here, none of which I thought of myself and all of which makes sense to me. But the record that popped into my head as I listened was Dead Rider’s Chills on Glass. Similar beat focus, “thick”/distorted/noisy/smeared production, declamatory vocals. I like that record a lot, so it's not too surprising I'm digging this one.

Jennifer Kelly: I loved Sonic Youth but have zero appetite for the kind of nostalgia trip, just the hits reunion tour that getting back together would entail.

Jonathan Shaw: Yeah, no thanks to that.

RE Christian's comment: Not sure I see deflection so much as the impossibility of integration. We are all many, many selves, always have been. Digital communications interfaces and social media have just lifted it to another level of experience. Gordon sez, “I don't miss my mind.” Not so much a question of missing it in the emotional/longing sense, more so acknowledging that phrases like “my mind” have always been meaningless. Now we partition experience and identity into all of these different places, and we sign those pieces of ourselves over, to Zuck and the algorithms. We know it. We do it anyways, because it's the candy house, full of sweets and pleasures that aren't so good for us, but are really hard to resist. “Come on, sweets, take my hand...”

Bill Meyer: I would not mind hearing all of those SY songs I like again, can’t lie, although I don’t think that I’d spend Love Earth Tour prices to hear them. But given the water that has passed under the bridge personally, and the length of time since anyone in the band has collaborated creatively (as opposed to managing the ongoing business of Sonic Youth, which seems to be going pretty well), a SY reunion could only be a professionally presented piece of entertainment made by people who have agreed to put aside their personal differences and pause their artistic advancement in order to make some coin. There may be good reasons to prioritize finances. Maybe Thurston and/or Kim wants to make sure that they don’t show up on Coco’s front door, demanding to move their record or art collection into her basement, in their dotage. And Lee’s a man in his late 60s with progeny who are of an age to likely have substantial student loan debt. But The Community is just the kind of thing they’d have to pause. It feels like the work of someone who is still curious, questioning, commenting. It's not just trying to do the right commercial thing.

Justin Cober-Lake: I’m finding this one to be a sort of statement album. I’d stop short of calling it a concept album, but there seems to be a thematic center. I think a key element of the album is the way that it looks for... if not signal and noise, at least a sense of order and comprehensibility in a chaotic world. Gordon isn’t even passing judgment on the world — phones are bad, phones are good, phones make art, etc. But there’s a sense that our world is increasingly brutal, and we hear that not just in the guitars, but in the beats, and the production. “BYE BYE” really introduces the concept. Gordon’s leaving (and we can imagine this is autobiographical), but she’s organizing everything she needs for a new life. “Cigarettes for Keller” is a heartbreaking line, but she moves on, everything that makes up a life neatly ordered next to each other, iBook and medications in the same line. It reminds me of a Hemingway character locking into the moment to find some semblance of control in the chaos.

Getting back to gender, there’s a funny line at the end: one of the last things she packs is a vibrator. I'm not sure if we're to read this as a joke, a comment on the necessity of sexuality in a life full of transitory moments, as a foreshadowing of the concepts we’ve discussed, or something else. The next item (if it’s something different) is a teaser, which could be a hair care product or something sexual (playing off — or with — the vibrator). Everything's called into question: the seriousness of the track, the gender/sexuality ideas, what really matters in life. Modern gadgets, life-sustaining medicines, and sex toys all get equal rank. That tension really adds force to the song.

Coming out of “BYE BYE,” it's easy to see a disordered world that sounds extremely noisy, but still has elements we can comprehend within the noise. I don’t want to read the album reductively and I don't think it's all about this idea, but it's something that, early on in my listening, I find to be a compelling aspect of it.

#dusted magazine #listeningpost #kim gordon #the collective #jennifer kelly #jonathan shaw #bill meyer #andrew forell #bryon hayes #tim clarke #christian carey #ian mathers #justin cober-lake

[t00thpasteface]

How do you like the mash movie?

I saw the series first, my dad is a fan and we used to watch it together, and was surprised at its more serious tone. Frank Burns also struck me as also a pathetic idiot but in such a different way and also has these evil vibes. Because of you I discovered the books, got them, and im having even more shocks!

i fucking LOVED IT. i was absolutely HOWLING the entire time. my favorite bits were:

the opening where you see the dangling arms of the bodies in the choppers??? oh my god. i was like GASP. the insane blood and gore was awesome and really drove home how petty and wacky everyone's being

hawkeye's stupid tinted glasses and bucket hat <3 sooo 70s.

mulcahy getting immediately ignored the second he's introduced. mulcahy basically acting like a frightened mouse in every scene he has. he is so sad. he's really not cut out for this

frank being introduced as an aggressive bible thumper (very funny contrast to the likeable and shy priest) so him cheating on his wife with margaret, who is also married, is even funnier

radar(!!) being the one who puts the mic under frank and margaret's bed

mulcahy hearing them bang, leaning in bc he thinks it's a radio program he enjoys, and going D: when he Realizes

suicide is painless. holy shit. did you know a 14 y/o wrote the lyrics? his dad said "i needed the lyrics to be extremely stupid, and 14 year old boys are masters of stupidity." mom just learned that and has been telling all her 50-60 y/o friends. also both versions in the movie are sung beautifully (and thus hilariously)

the unbelievable fruitiness of hawkeye and trapper at all points but especially in the golf related scenes

trapper spawning the olives out of nowhere. player.placeatme olivejar 1

bring me the sultry bitch with the fire in her eyes! (dramatic zoom)

RADAR STEALING HENRY'S BLOOD??

hawkeye's entire interaction with painless just SCREAMING "chaotic bisexual who's been out the longest of anyone in the friendgroup and will forcefully yank you out of the closet the second you start questioning"

racists do not get dignified with a response. racists get shoved out of their chair

DON'T LET HIM KISS YOU HAWKEYE!

frank getting carted away in a straitjacket and never seen again

margaret hating the idea of football until the general wants it and suddenly she's a cheerleader with pigtails bc she's completely spineless. god she's so evil in this i LOVE horrible evil women. full agency at being the worst person ever <333 i support women's wrongs and i love watching chicks who are just slow-motion car crashes

"i was thinking we should have some plays, cause yknow, football teams always have plays" "actually i took the liberty of drawing about seven or eight plays for us to try ^_^" "great! ...what do these arrows mean?"

MASH EM! SMASH EM! KILL, KILL, KILL!

OH MY GOD THEY SHOT HIM!!!

hawkeye suddenly not wanting to leave once he's actually able to 🥺

end credits being read over the loudspeaker like the other movie night announcements. so. cute.

okay sorry. good movie. i had fun and cried laughing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#shebbz shoutz #mash #m*a*s*h #mash 1970 #ask

[get-back-homeward]

Paul’s Trying To Get To You

The thread of this song weaving in and out of Paul’s most formative music experiences

Oct 1956: Elvis’s debut album is released in the UK as Rock ‘n’ Roll and the B-side includes Trying to Get to You

I just had to reach you, baby / In spite of all that I've been through / I kept traveling night and day / I kept running all the way / Baby, trying to get to you.

Well if I had to do it over / That's exactly what I'd do / I would travel night and day / And I'd still run all the way / Baby, trying to get to you

[full lyrics]

Jan-June 1957: Ian James gets the Elvis record and a guitar

“It was in this time frame that Paul formed a closer friendship with Ian James, an Institute boy (in his year) he’d known since 1954. Ian was also into rock and skiffle and he’d recently been bought an acoustic guitar by his grandparents, at whose house he lived in the Dingle. (Every guitar had a maker’s name: his was a Rex.) The two boys became good pals on the strength of it. While they tended not to see each other in the evenings, because they lived some distance apart, Paul often went to Ian’s house for an hour or two after school—they walked there together down the hill from the Institute—and Ian sometimes went to Forthlin Road at weekends, taking his guitar with him. Ian James held a triple attraction for Paul: he was an intelligent, decent and affable lad, he had some rock records, and he had a guitar—an unbeatable combination.

In the front room at home I had a table-top portable record player, three speed. I remember playing “Blueberry Hill” by Fats Domino over and over, just the first line and then I’d pick up the needle and put it back at the start. I also had Elvis Presley’s first album, which we played time after time after time, with “That’s All Right Mama,” “Trying to Get to You,” “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (Over You),” “Mystery Train” … Elvis was the one to copy, he was the hero. He had everything: the charisma, the looks, the voice. Frank Sinatra had only one style but Elvis could do anything—gospel, blues, rock and roll, romantic ballads. There was nobody else like him. Paul and I talked about Elvis all the time.15

The Rex guitar was ever at hand. Ian showed and reinforced to Paul those three chord fundamentals that would get him started, C, F and G or G7, the basis for pretty much every song they loved.”

—Tune In (Ch. 5, Jan-June 1957)

July 1957: Paul is invited to join the Quarrymen and trades his trumpet for his first guitar

At some point in July 1957, Paul finally got his first guitar. It had been a long time coming and he was desperate. As he couldn’t afford to buy one he had the bright idea of swapping his trumpet for it, the one his dad had bought him two years earlier. Jim didn’t mind—it was clear where Paul’s interest was. “I traded in the trumpet for a £15 Zenith guitar from Frank Hessy’s. There was a feller there called Jim Gretty and he showed us (me and George) a great chord. I never knew its name—we called it ‘a jazz chord’…”

Mike McCartney has said of Paul and his first guitar, “He would get lost in another world. It was useless talking to him—I had better conversations with brick walls.” Paul played the guitar everywhere, even on the bus. At home he played it in the bath and sitting on the toilet. “The fine acoustic of the toilet area was always very appealing to me. And it was also very private, about the only private place in the house. I used to sit there for hours—there and the bathroom. Dad would shout, ‘Paul, get off that toilet!’ [And I’d reply] ‘I’m practicing!’ ”4

…Rod Davis has a recollection of Paul dropping in to see a group rehearsal at (of all places) Mimi’s house, and Eric Griffiths says the group all went to Paul’s house one afternoon for a rehearsal together—something Paul has never mentioned. (Like almost everything to do with the Quarry Men, solid information is lacking.)

…Ian James says he and Paul struck up an informal musical duo: “We used to take our guitars around to parties and play a few numbers. Have guitar will travel—wherever we went our guitars went too. We played songs from that first Elvis LP: ‘Trying to Get to You,’ ‘Lawdy Miss Clawdy,’ ‘Mystery Train’…

—Tune In (Ch. 7, July-Aug 1957)

Aug 1957: Paul’s away at summer camp and then on holiday but glued to his guitar

[O]n August 7, the Quarry Men played the Cavern again…This Cavern booking would have been Paul’s Quarry Men debut but for him being away with the Boy Scouts at summer camp—another ten days of wet feet, wind and Woodbines. The 19th City troop’s destination this year was the Peak District—Callow Farm, Hathersage, Derbyshire—and both McCartney brothers went. Paul (inevitably) carted his Zenith along with his sleeping bag and tin mug. Almost as soon as they’d pitched tents, Mike had an altercation with an oak tree, badly breaking his arm; he was taken to the hospital in Sheffield while Paul remained at the camp and entertained around the fire with Elvis’s “Trying to Get to You.”13

Mike was in the hospital four weeks, his plastered arm in a sling, and on the day of his release—the last full week of the school holidays—Jim arrived in Sheffield with Paul and revealed they were all heading straight off to Butlin’s. Bett and Mike Robbins had fixed them seven days at Filey, on Yorkshire’s east coast…

Ever the keen photographer, Mike operated the camera single-handedly to take a fascinating photo of Paul on Filey beach with Bett Robbins and her infant son Ted. Paul is perched on Ted’s pushchair and playing the much-traveled Zenith. The photo could be the closest taken to the date he met John Lennon, showing a 15-year-old who’s come through his chubby period and is looking good.

—Tune In (Ch. 7, July-Dec 1957)

Oct-Nov 1957: Paul plays his first gigs with the band as John’s equal

In images of the Quarry Men before Paul joined they’re all wearing different clothes. In the first photo of the group with Paul they have a uniform look, and a sharp one at that: white shirts with black bootlace ties and black trousers, and John and Paul (only) are also wearing jackets on top, white or cream—it’s Paul’s “white sports coat” and something similar John has managed to acquire. This was undoubtedly Paul’s doing, reaching back to his experience at Butlin’s in 1954 when he saw how a singing group in matching gear claimed everyone’s attention. He’d brought the thinking early to John, and John had bought it. And something else is compelling about this Quarry Men photo: although it’s John’s group, new boy Paul is not at the back with Colin or Len, or to the side like Eric, he’s up front with John. Lennon and McCartney are clearly the front line of the Quarry Men, strumming crummy Gallotone and upside-down Zenith, and they’re the only ones with vocal microphones. The group is the two of them and three others. When one sings lead the other provides harmony; often they sing the lead in unison—and their voices go together.

One can only surmise what they sang into those microphones. Nigel Walley remembers plenty of rock in the repertoire in this period and not so much skiffle, including several Elvis numbers—“All Shook Up,” “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Hound Dog,” “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” “That’s All Right Mama” and “Trying to Get to You”—as well as “Be-Bop-A-Lula,” “Blue Suede Shoes” (Carl or Elvis), “Come Go with Me” and “Twenty Flight Rock.”

—Tune In (Ch. 7, July-Dec 1957)

Jan-May 1958: Paul writes In Spite of All the Danger and John wants to record it

As George knew several more guitar chords than John or Paul, every time he showed them a new one they tried to write a song around it36—and it was in this period, possibly at Upton Green, that Paul wrote one he called “In Spite of All the Danger,” a chugging and melodic country-flavored number with a couple of extended lead guitar solos created by George. For this reason, the song was a unique deviation from the Lennon-McCartney credit: it went down as McCartney-Harrison.

The tune of “In Spite of All the Danger” was entirely Paul’s, but it leaned heavily on the melody of Elvis’s “Trying to Get to You,” a song that includes the lyric “[in] spite of all that I’ve been through.” Using an existing song as inspiration for the writing of another is standard practice, but the rock and roll era was already littered with outrageous examples of plagiarism seemingly free of legal action—possibly because the song being copied was not entirely original to that composer either.

…John decided the Quarry Men should make a record, and the others needed no persuading—just 3s 6d each. This time the answer to “Where we going, Johnny?” was 38 Kensington, where one Percy F. Phillips ran probably Liverpool’s only recording studio and record press.

Seventeen years later, without the advantage of hearing it in between times, John recalled what he could of the session: “The first thing we ever recorded was ‘That’ll Be the Day,’ the Buddy Holly song, and one of Paul’s called ‘In Spite of All the Danger.’ It cost us fifteen shillings and we made it in the front room of some guy’s house that he called a recording studio.”

…John again sings lead on “In Spite of All the Danger,” Paul provides more fine harmonies throughout, and George adds an “ah” backing. It’s said Colin and Duff hadn’t heard the song before, and so were feeling their way through it, but it’s not solely for this reason that it plods somewhat. Though the debt to “Trying to Get to You” is clear, it’s still an original number and an interesting, attractive one at that, written by a boy of 15—a fantastic achievement.

—Tune In (Ch. 8, Jan-May 1958)

#tracking this thoroughline and realized it came up more often than i thought #its the mention of paul singing it at camp that really made me lol #the thematically appropriate soundtrack to this story is wild isnt it #bug influences #elvis #trying to get to you #its actually the one elvis song i enjoy listening to #in spite of all the danger #mine #bug guitars #i see a lot of people say paul had a guitar at the fete but idk #paul being desperate enough to do a quick trade to buy a guitar tells me its after the invite #ian james #poor ian paul got the guitar lessons got the record got the white jacket and then went and used them to impress john #prebugs #the quarrymen #1956 #1957 #thick as thieves #1958 #1950s #mark lewisohn #reading tune in #trying to get essential bits saved and this got long #i feel like every tune in post should have an asterisk #*beatles history according to mark lewisohn whose citations are a mess but preferable over none at all #i left thecitation numbers in to reblog with sources at some point

[therowdymagpie]

The Main 6 as AJR songs(pt.2): The Neotheater

A/N: Continuing this series with "The Neotheater", my favouite album AJR has released so far. I have to be honest, this round was a bit more difficult in regards to finding good songs for everyone but nonetheless here it goes:(spoilers for all routes of course)

Asra: Turning Out ii

At this point I could honestly match Asra with the entire Turning out trilogy. With all the underlying messages about love that you can pinpoint from how they act in every route, can you blame me? Turning out's themes really match tragically with Asra's story, how they handled being there to help MC and how that affected them.

One of Pt. ii's main messages is about attaching yourself to the idea of loving someone so much that by the end you have no idea if you actually love them for who they are or just the feelings that come with that.

And if you think about Asra's connection to the lyrics and the Mc it makes a lot of sense:

Now in absolutely no shape, way or form am I saying that Asra doesn't love the Apprentice. He moved LITERAL REALMS and struck one of the sketchiest of deals to bring the person he cared about the most back, giving HALF.HIS.HEART as exchange for them. Then, even when he realised that person couldn't even remember him anymore, even then, he stayed by their side and practically taught them how to be a human being from scratch just to give them a second chance to live again.

Asra ,before the events of the game, was always worried about whether the Apprentice would remember and secretly hoped that they could go back to how they were before the Plague, all the while having to lie to protect MC's feelings and mind. They clung into that hope so much, but that hope was the idea of a love that they can never really get back to and that will never be the same.

I think it's a very interesting concept to wonder about : Asra loving who the Apprentice used to be and that just reinforcing loving who they are now, but in the beginning just, like the lyrics suggest, loving "the idea of them"(especially if Asra has also considered this and thought about it).

Break your heart (ha)In the end all Asra can do now that the Apprentice is back is watch and, despite how sorry they are for all that's happened, try to love the way they "turn out" and grow now that they can make desicions for themselves and experience the world again (even if they won't "love it much at all" in Lucio's route XD).

Nadia: Finale (Can't Wait to see What you do Next)

The Finale is one of the most soul-clenching and melodically complex songs this band has released for me personally, so it's not surprising that it represents Nadia so much. I feel like all the lyrics fit with the different aspects of her life and story incredibly well.

One of the biggest worries in Nadia's mind are her capabilities as a leader and how her actions will affect her citizens and paint her to the eyes of everyone else. Ever since she left her home in Prakra she wanted to prove to her family and to herself that she is capable of doing great things without the help of anyone else.

And when she got that opportunity, she was stifled during the Plague by Lucio, her independence and ideas bottled up. She went to Vesuvia and married the Count, setting the goal of helping the city and in the end standing in the sidelines while he was reducing it to ruin, justyfying her fears and inhibitions.

That is apparent, especially if you imagine the people of Vesuvia as the chorus that's in the background of the song(and at the back of her head), claiming how they need her. There is so much expectation in Nadia's mind in how people are always watching and believe in her and it becomes a driving force to keep her going since she thinks she has to earn that faith everyday.

Small pause to just mention that these lyrics perfectly describe how Nadia may have felt waking up from her coma, realising that she has to step into the role of Countess. Even down to the memory loss part and her not being able to "remember how she got here".

The song has a lot nods to the theme of finally reaching a certain point of achievement which comes with the fear of not being able to maintain it. This really reflects Nadia's attitude to her role and responsibilities, while the final musical swell gives an optimistic outlook on the future: Her people will believe in her no matter what she does next...

Julian: Karma

I love Karma for Julian for several reasons. The song is all about the disappointing reality that sometimes no matter the amount of effort you put in being good and doing your best, life just won't repay you for it, there's no Karma to be found for all your good actions, just this empty feeling of melancholy.

For all the Martyr syndrome Julian possesses and as much as he tries to convince people that he's a bad person, there is more to it that just trying to punish himself. There's always the hidden frustration that ties into not being enough. He can't understand why all the good he does never comes back to him. Why no matter how hard he tries, the amount of people he helps and all the burdens he keeps shouldering for everyone else, he's still alone and stressed out and just can't seem to shed off all the negative stuff in his life.

This especially ties back to when he was a doctor during the Red Plague. He tried and tried and spent so much time in that lab underneath the Palace, slaving away with Valdemar over his shoulder trying to figure out a cure. And even when he did, he came back and got condemned for trying to save everyone.

Yet he still tries to protect everyone despite all the toll it's taking on him, "lamenting the load while he carries it" as Portia puts it. The whole song has this really frantic energy, bouncing from one sentence to another, it feels like a spiral, completely matching the back and forth he does with wanting to be free, ask for help and be loved or going back to thinking he actually is guilty and sacrificing himself for everyone else.

These lyrics could also refer to Julian's relationship with the Apprentice during his route. The MC is this person he feels such a profound connection with, someone he wants to keep close and express discontent to but knows has to keep away, even when the MC tries to convince him that he's enough and can do better.

At the same time, there's this irony in the song about referring to and venting all these frustrations to a "Doctor" or therapist to give you answers on when you will finally receive something good in your life, which is also a great parallel.

In the end, Julian wonders if it's actually worth keeping up what in his mind is this "persona" of the good person everyone knows he is or just succumb into the role of the villain he's been led to believe he is by his thoughts and his own self-doubt.

…Is it actually worth being good, if it doesn't even matter in the end? If he's just doomed by design to be stuck in the same place over and over again?

Muriel: Break My Face

Choosing for Muriel, "Break your face" seemed the most appropriate to connect him with. A thematic of overcoming adversity and accepting all the ways life has roughened you up, seeing the worth and strength in all the times you've been hurt? It's literally perfect.

(Maybe not that much lyric-ways but the main message is very relative)

Muriel, you can tell, has so much self-confidence and self-love issues that stem from all the trauma he had to indure in his younger years, both living at the docks and later on in the Colussium. All this time having to act like an executioner for Lucio's entertainment, have messed up so much of his psyche in regards to how he views himself and how others see him.

And even after all that he went through he even made sure people forgot about him entirely, he didn't want to be remembered for that part of his life that hurt him so badly, essentially sealing his face from everyone else.

He spent so much time chastizing his scars, his build, hating everything that possibly could make him look threatening to someone, tying it into the whole "monster" narrative everyone formed around him(you are beautiful Muri don't do to yourself).

It's the whole reason he's willing to take, at this point, anything life gives him yet still thinks he's undeserving of it.

It's only after he meets the Apprentice that he finds out, there's a lot of beauty within him unrelated to how he looks and that there's so much to be proud of in the ways you have survived. He finally accepts that it's worth the risk to get hurt sometimes, it's always you in the end...it's still you and you aren't defined by your scars.

This man has been torn down by the world around him and has gotten through a lot of rough times, but no matter what, in the end of his story he can make sure that the face he stares at the mirror is just a face, his face and he's loved for it.

Sidenote: As for this, it's just 100% Muriel behaviour. This gentle giant takes no fibbin' from anyone and doesn't care for your fancy words and condecending attitude, no matter who you are, he will give you a death glare if you annoy him enough, which....fair.

I also want to make a small mention to "100 bad Days" for including coming to terms with all the rough times in your life and accepting them.

Portia: Next Up Forever

Honestly Next-up Forever is such a good fit for Portia and the entirety of her character development on her route. All it's lyrics refer to something in your life holding you back from taking that final step and move on from what everyone expects of you which is honestly all you can see from her in the duration of trying to solve the Mystery of the Count's death at first.

At the start of hers and other's routes, Portia is constanly overshadowed and her actions are more commonly the result of who she is to someone else. Everyone goes around her, barely giving any mind to what she wants and making her desicions for her.

Also the lines "My God, are you growing without me?" for Julian and "Somebody help me, (somebody, help me)" for the Apprentice are just so tragic and perfect.

There are all these things keeping her back from everything she wants to experience: Being a handmaiden to Nadia, helping free and clear her brother's name, constanly making sure the Palace is running smoothly and wearing that happy mask on her face at all times, leave her restricted to live vicariously through her adventure books in second place.

It's only when the Apprentice convinces her that she is more than everything she does for others, listens to her and acknowledges what she wants out of life, standing by her side, that she recognises she has to put herself first and sets out to find out what she actually wants and who she is.

I especially love this verse connecting the beginning and the end of her journey. In the beginning Portia first sailed from Nevivon trying to find her brother and make it somewhere else for once and in the end after all she's gone through sailing again in a much more encouraging note finally buying the ship of her dreams and setting forward to actually have all the adventure she's always craved.

Portia's story is one of self-discovery and defining youself in spite of everyone else, shining though and proving that no matter all the things that hold you back you can stop standing by and delaying going the next step forward, in the end making it damn bigger than you thought you ever could for everyone to see.

Lucio: The Entertainment's Here

If I could associate every song on the album with the Goatman I would…The Neotheater is all in all very Lucio in character, having to do with the themes of fame, the fear of getting forgotten and not wanting to grow up just to name a few, but "The Entertainment's Here" just fitted the best.

Hmmm…hates being bored, doesn't make plans, not using your head, blatantly avoiding the task at hand, any guesses folks?

Lucio genuinely believed that by constantly hosting Masquerades and parties he made Vesuvia better and that everyone should focus on all the fun that was going around when he was Count. I can honestly see him saying these lyrics unironically, it fits so much with him trying to cover up with the illusion of just another event.

There's this constant mention of Entertainment and distraction all throughout: The first, middle and end verses all include it and grasp your attention and move it away from the problematic confessions being said at the same time. Specifically, every time a confession about the fear of thinking for too long is mentioned.

Like I’ve stated before Lucio is a complex written character and he's not as dense as people make him out to be: The man knows he's done mistakes, he just can't come to accept them or acknowledge them because he has this image of greatness he needs to keep up. So "he can't be bored" because that way he has to get back in his head and he hates that.

Lucio doesn't do the things he does just to distract everyone else, he also does them to distract himself from his past mistakes and insecurities. He parades and hypes up his life with that notion of constant Entertainment, movement and fun because he can't afford to stop for a second and let all his thoughts catch up to him.

He NEEDS theEntertainment, the distractions the adoration, the reassurances or else his mind stays still for too long and the thoughts of inadequacy, faults, abandonment all resurface and they are terrifying.... So again, he reverts to what he knows how to do best and doesn't deal with any of it since no one’s ever taught him to.

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can you people tell i tried to get this out on Julian's birthday and failed👁👁

#the arcana #the arcana game #the arcana headcanons #asra alnazar #asra the arcana #nadia satrinava #nadia the arcana #muriel of the kokhuri #muriel the arcana #julian devorak #julian the arcana #portia the arcana #portia devorak #lucio the arcana #count lucio #ajr #song analysis #man this semester really took a toll on me but here you go #I have lost so much sleep #sike yes i'm continuing this #thank you for leaving writer's block I won't miss you #magpie-talks-music

[parkermunson]

can you write a one shot based off the song Someone That You're With by Nickleback ? with a happy ending please?

Hi Babe, I've literally never heard this song but it's really good and those lyrics had me thinkin' thoughts about needy, yearning Eddie 👀

That's for another time though, I kept this SFW. Didn't want to get crazy with this. It's not exactly long, I hope that's okay.

I Wanna Be That Someone That You're With

T/W: None! Fluffy at the end! Reader has hair thats at least shoulder length, and wears a skirt. [800 words]

Eddie stared through the peephole at the possible love of his life leaving her apartment for the third time this week. Your hair gliding around your shoulders, skirt twisting and bouncing as your turned to lock your door. The scent of your perfume wafting through the crack under Eddie's door, dancing it's way up to his head. His hand gripped the handle of his apartment door so tight the old knob started creaking. He wanted to crash through his door and proclaim him feelings but fucking Chuck from down the hall already called your attention.

That's okay, he'll wait. He's good at waiting, he waited years to move out of Hawkins. What's a day?

It'd been a few weeks since you moved in and the building was already buzzing from your presence. Everyone was enamored, practically lining up outside your door just for a simple smile. It took Eddie some time to get your attention when you weren't fighting off the crowd of admirers. Or staying out incredibly late, coming home when the sun was just about to rise. You were beautiful, and the attention was well-deserved, but god, he wished you were staying out late with him. Talking to him, kissing him, touching him.

Eddie called your apartment phone the day after you moved in, leaving a voicemail with his number, and slipped in an "across the hall bachelor" at the end, just in case. He held onto the phone the entire night but it never rang. You were probably busy unpacking, he figured. When his phone finally rang, he bolted to it in such a rush he nearly threw it across the room. Your voice was even better than he imagined, and you mentioned he's always welcome to drop by for anything.

So Eddie started knocking on your door for little things: cup of sugar, ice, bandaids, tape. He had all of these sitting right across the hall in his apartment but it was the only time he ever had the chance to talk to you. And it was a gift each time. The conversation never got deep before you were being called by an admirer, but he cherished them nonetheless.

He started remembering interests you had, and made sure to give you a little gift everytime he returned what he borrowed. Your face would warm to the brightest pinks, and Eddie wanted to burn that image into his eyelids so he could smile at it everyday. His heart fluttered when he saw you leave your apartment wearing a dinky bracelet he got you, but then he realized you were leaving for another date.

You were rarely home. He knew this from the amount of times he had to tell some love-struck stranger knocking down your door to scram. When you were home, you'd make a habit of dropping your keys on the hallway floor, most likely from exhaustion, Eddie thought. Within minutes he'd be at your door asking for something. It was a habit you and him were falling into. And despite the hectic social life you were thrown into, it was something you looked forward to most.

By the fourth week, Eddie had cooked a full meal and invited you over. Conversation was easy with him, and you felt at home for the first time in your new building. But your phone wouldn't stop ringing, and the knocking on your door was only getting more frequent. You bid him goodnight and left after an hour.

Two weeks later, you knocked on his door in the middle of the night. "I pulled the phone out of my wall," you greeted him the moment he opened the door.

"..O-okay?"

"You can't call me anymore." His heart sunk. He overdid it. All those conversations, the dinner. He was about to apologize when you broke in, "too many people weren't getting the hint."

"You seem popular. The calls, the visitors. Leaving every night." He never had a chance. He was one in a thousand fighting for your attention, and he wasn't even close to winning it.

"Yeah. I thought not answering my calls would give them an answer. But then they started showing up to my door, so I'd leave and hide out at a shop down the street. But it's been weeks, and they really don't quit!"

He paused for a moment, taking in the information word for word. "So you weren't... going out with anyone?" His voice rose in pitch the more hope he gained. His chest buzzing with excitement.

"No. I'm only interested in one person. But he's hopelessly forgetful. Constantly banging on my door to borrow something." You smirked at him, watching as the blush grew over his cheeks. He looked down at his feet, giving into the smile creeping across his lips before he was beaming at you.

"Maybe he could take you out for real sometime? How's Friday?"

"As long as you don't forget."

#eddie munson #eddie munson imagine #eddie munson fanfic #eddie munson x you #eddie munson x reader #eddie my beloved #eddie x fem!reader #st fanfic #stranger things #stranger things imagine #stranger things fanfiction #stranger things fic #mandi writes #parkermunson