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sleepingdeath-light · 10 months

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neighbour in need ; wally darling

requested by ; an ao3 user

word count ; 1074

content ; sensory overload, casual comfort, echolalia/vocal stims

fandom ; welcome home

pairing ; wally darling x gender neutral autistic reader

note ; struggled a lot with writing this one, particularly with portraying the issues with sensory overload as, whilst i do experience overstimulation myself, it’s not something i’ve ever written for until now. so that aspect might be a tad shaky — apologies if that’s the case.

warning(s) ; brief (italicised and crossed out) references to the horror-based origins of the canon — watching/being watched at all times and having an audience the characters can’t see

read also on ; ao3

You shouldn't have come here, you should have listened to your gut and stayed home where it was quiet and calm and safe. Where you didn't have to be subjected to music so loud it drowned out your thoughts and food so crackly and obscene that it made your hair stand on end as it was eaten by the other guests. Where the chairs were just soft enough and not scratchy to the point that you felt like tearing your skin off and where you could easily flee and hide in the comfort of your own room without the fear of judgement. Where you could control what was going on rather than just being a bystander.

Of course you weren't upset at Julie for including you, she was a dear friend after all and it was hardly her fault that things got a bit out of hand, but you wished that for once the neighbourhood gatherings could be held in a quieter manner. One without raucous laughter and booming records and squeaky recliners and conversations that had to turn into shouting matches in order for anybody to be heard over all of the other noise. It was a cacophony: painful, overwhelming, overstimulating and out of tune. Even the music on the vinyl kept skipping and scratching for all of the damage the track had sustained over the many years of use.

It was all just... too much.

Before long it had overwhelmed you so deeply that you couldn't even will yourself to move — you could barely think, even. Mind fogged and staticky and filled with noise, noise, noise so loud that your thoughts morphed from words to whispers to nothing in your own head. Too blank to think of any proper solution as you defaulted to curling in on yourself: clamping your hands over your ears so tightly that your wrists were starting to tremble, ducking your head between your knees and almost melting into Julie's hot pink loveseat — the other guests far too caught up in their games and conversations and arguments to even realise what was happening.

All except one.

————

Wally Darling had been keeping an eye on you since you stepped through Julie’s front door — meaning to compliment you on your funky new outfit before Barnaby dragged him into a discussion about apples and oranges that he just had to participate in. So the moment you started curling up like a disco-themed pillbug, he began to politely excuse himself from the argument with the excuse of needing to get some air.

Now, of course, that was a bit of a white lie (one which he didn’t feel good about using), but he let himself off about it as he made quick work of sneaking through the crowd and approaching your little corner of the party.

‘Hey neighbour, is everything okay?’ He asked, squatting down slightly so that he could get a look at your face through the small gap between your legs. When he didn’t get a response after just shy of a minute, Wally continued. ‘I was just about to go on a short walk outside where it’s nice and cold and quiet, do you want to join me?’

And then you gave him a nod — small and brief and barely noticeable, but that was all the encouragement he needed to gently grasp your hand and lead you outside. Well, lead you outside after giving you a couple of moments to get out of your awkward sitting position.

But a success is a success no matter how much time it takes to get there, Wally reasoned to himself, so he didn’t much mind the extra wait (and, by a wonderful happenstance, it took you to the end of his favourite ABBA song which he was quite appreciative of).

————

Every step you took away from Julie's home lessened the tension in your body more and more — muscles relaxing and breathing getting easier as you traversed the winding gravel pathway into the centre of your neighbourhood. Static flowed out of your mind like syrup from a tap (gradually but without issue) at the same time that that ungodly ringing left your aching ears. It was relieving, freeing even, and you could feel yourself starting to feel present and grounded again for the first time in hours.

It was just so peaceful, so far removed from where you were before, that you couldn't help but relax. Hell, between the rustling of leaves and the chirping of local birds you were able to find your voice again — repeating the calls of loons and sandpipers beneath your breath and humming in the back of your throat as you half-listened to what your short neighbour was saying (you thought you heard him talking about apples or something like that but you couldn't really be certain).

Though, thankfully, Wally seemed to understand that you weren't in much of a mood for talking — he always seemed to know these things somehow — and continued to just absentmindedly fill you in on his day whilst he walked with you, hand-in-hand, back to your home.

'... and then, neighbour, you won't believe what he said. He said that apples don't even taste that good — can you believe it?' you hummed and he nodded in an almost solemn way, blue hair bouncing dramatically up and down in the corner of your eye as he moved, before he continued. 'I couldn't either. Honestly I was at a loss for words, I guess that some people just can't appreciate good food...'

And he trailed off once again, going on a tangent about Barnaby and Howdy and the various food related shenanigans he'd involved himself in earlier that week which was, naturally, equal parts ridiculous and amusing as he recalled each incident to you. Some particularly vivid images even coaxing some brief bouts of laughter from you as you stumbled and skipped and walked further down that winding path home — one image of note including an upside down Wally, two armfuls' worth of apples, and a very unhappy Howdy who had caught him in the middle of this particular act of theft.

So you laughed and he chuckled (and you could have sworn you heard raucous, child-like shrieks of joy emanating from beyond the forest line) and you walked all the way back home — thankful, as always, that your dear neighbour was (always watching) always there to lend a hand.

He really was the absolute most!

#sleepingdeath #gender neutral reader #autistic reader #fluff #fluff fic #welcome home fluff #welcome home x reader #wally darling fluff #wally darling x reader

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noramoya · 2 years

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MIKE DEAN ELLIS : I Worked For Michael Jackson •••

“It was 1994 and I had been working for a few months at the famous Oceanway Recording Studios on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood as an assistant. Gold and platinum records by artists we all know and love hung on the walls. In the most prominent place in the building, directly opposite, was the platinum record of Michael Jackson's Thriller. I often looked at it when I was at the switchboard just below it.

One day my manager asked me to start going to Record One, another studio owned by the same owner located in Sherman Oaks, every Monday night to relieve another assistant and give him the day off. I went there and found out that MJJ Productions had studios A and B booked indefinitely.God knows how long they must have been there before I showed up and was told it was an "unlimited budget" record. Part of my duties was to go around asking if anyone wanted something to eat, order it, and then pick it up from various restaurants in the area. I ended up spending several hundred dollars each time on expensive lobsters, sushi, and steaks. Then I would clean up when everyone left, vacuuming, doing the dishes, etc...

There were producers and engineers, but I never saw any talent being there. Finally on a Monday night they told me that MJJ was coming. The staff and people in his group always referred to him as "MJJ" instead of Michael. Certainly he arrived a while later.When he entered it seemed that he already knew the rest of the employees but I saw him staring at me when he realized that I was new. Someone introduced us, "This is Michael..", as he came over to shake my hand, he softly said "My name is Michael too..." with a beautiful smile and a firm handshake. What I remember most is how he smelled like talcum powder. Amazing. That's the only weird thing I've seen on him.

In the following weeks he came to work on vocals for songs that would end up appearing on his HIStory album. My routine was to provide him some Ricolla Cherry Cough Drops, Evian water and our best Neimann U-67 Tube Microphone with a media filter in front I was never allowed into the control room when he was actually recording, but I was present during the various loud replays and mixing chores.

My impressions of him were that he was a quiet, pleasant, very humble, normal man. Sure, I read the stories that had circulated in previous years like everyone else, but he didn't show himself to me as that person everyone had read about in the tabloids. Once a very beautiful lady arrived, Lisa Marie Presley. She only happened to come once while I was there, but it was clear that they were very much into each other and in love..Even showing affection with kisses or holding hands.

He was a normal guy who was extremely talented when it came to creating music in the control room. My impressions of the music was perfection, cleanly mixed and recorded at the best possible scenario. I was very impressed to see three Sony 48 Track Digital Half Inch machines in sync and directing the automatic controls of the largest SSL console in the world at that time. Seeing well over a hundred different tracks being mixed together on two channels was an amazing sight to see and hear. It really showed me how you can get to the next level in the studio. I've worked with a lot of great bands at Oceanway, but nobody did it like him.

Michael and his group were excellent and very gracious guests to have on the premises. Everything was low key, each one had a task. I would say that the Mantra of those sessions was 'we will do whatever it takes, technically and creatively to get things where we want'. Neither time nor money were considerations in these recordings. The end result: A flawless recording with no blemishes. None. Perfection.”

MJJ, have a good trip and rest in peace. I know you are the greatest !

Source: http://mikedeanellis.com

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jos-corner-of-the-world · 6 years

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Wonwoo - Small World (13)

{12.5}

You and Jay had been working on lyrics for a couple of days. You weren’t quite sure how to write rap lyrics, as most of your own compositions so far had been ballads, but you were putting your all into it. Jay already had his part complete, but wanted you to be able to put your own touch on the song.

“I just don’t know if it’ll flow together well.” you said to him after the third day of doubting yourself.

“Y/n, trust me. It’s gonna be great. It’s a song about having a crush and dating. In the song I’m singing about being single and wanting to date the girl. Your lyrics will work just fine. If anything, we can use that towards our music video and have it be a love that didn’t happen.” Jay said, smiling.

“Music video?” you asked, confused.

“Yeah. They told you we’d be shooting a music video right?” he asked.

“Actually, no they didn’t. But that sounds fun.”

You heard a knock at your door and turned around to see Wonwoo and Mingyu there.

“Oh hey guys!” you said, standing up to meet them.

“Sorry, are we early?” Wonwoo asked, looking between you and Jay.

“Nope, we were running late because I’m just not sure of myself and my lyrics.” you said.

“Y/n, seriously they’re great. I knew you were the right choice for this song.” he said, standing up to greet your guests also.

“Oh, sorry! Jay this is Wonwoo and Mingyu. They’re in the group Seventeen. Guys, this is Jay” you said, pointing to each member.

“Yeah, I’ve seen a few of your stages. Your flows are pretty great.” Jay said, shaking each other their hands.

Mingyu got a huge smile on his face at the praise, while Wonwoo just kind of nodded his head.

“Alright, I’ll get out of here since it seems like you guys have plans. Y/n, just keep working on your lyrics, they’re good and you’re going in the right place. Don’t doubt it. I’ll leave a sample of the music with you with what I’ve already recorded so you can mess with it and we can get back together in a couple days at my studio to go over it all.” He said, squeezing your shoulder once before leaving.

“Why didn’t you tell us you were working with Jay Park?! That’s huge!” Mingyu said, staring at your studio door he had just left from.

“I told Wonwoo and Ji. I haven’t seen you guys since it happened.” you defended

“Dude, why didn’t you tell me?!” Mingyu asked.

“It’s not my business to tell. Are we going to dinner now?” Wonwoo asked, sick of the conversation already.

“Yeah Salty Susan, let’s go to dinner.” you said, shutting off all your equipment.

Dinner was actually kind of awkward. Wonwoo really didn’t say much, and you and Mingyu didn’t know each other very well so it was a quiet atmosphere. You didn’t like quiet.

“So what do you guys have planned this week?” you asked after a long silence.

“We have a lot of schedules.” Wonwoo said unenthusiastically.

“We do. More music performances and then the AAA’s. It’s going to be hectic, but it should be fun.” Mingyu said.

“That sounds exhausting to be honest.”

“What about you? Any big plans?” Mingyu asked.

“Not particularly. I’ll most likely finish the lyrics tonight for the song with Jay. And once it’s recorded we’ll start the music video so that will release the same day as the song.”

“You guys are making a music video too?” Mingyu asked.

“Apparently. I didn’t know that until he told me today. I guess it makes sense, but I’m kind of disappointed. I won’t have a solo music video out before that one. It’s good exposure, but it would have been fun to film my own video first.” you admitted.

“Yeah, that’s always a tough spot, but like you said, it’ll get your name out there more.” Mingyu agreed.

“You’re awful quiet.” You observed towards Wonwoo.

“Don’t have anything to say.” Wonwoo shot back.

After that, there wasn’t much talking, and you left as soon as you paid your part of the bill.

The next few days went by quickly as you finished recording the track. You talked with Wonwoo every once in awhile, but the conversation was always very stilted to the point of awkward. You noticed that he never reached out to you, you were always the one initiating conversation.

Once you started shooting the music video with Jay, you just stopped trying to make conversation with him. It’s almost like there just wasn’t a point to what you guys talked about right now.

Once the video shoot ended, you tried reaching out to him again

Well what the fuck you thought to yourself.

You tried to recall anything that could have been bothering him but you couldn’t figure it out.

You got up from your desk, that was being used for nothing more than a punching bag at the moment and drove to Pledis.

You thought of searching out Wonwoo first, but your mind wasn't at ease. To be more specific, you were angry. He wasn't talking to you and you weren't sure if it was because of something you did, but it sure felt like it. But, before you saw him you needed to sort out your head.

With that being the priority, you knew where you needed to go.

”I just don't get it Ji. Why is he being such an asshole? He's never been like this before. Granted we haven't known each other that long, but he's always talked to me about anything and everything. That's the strongest point of our friendship; how easily we can talk and it's never uncomfortable or anything like that.” You vented.

“Calm down. I don't even know the whole damn story and you're throwing the ending it me right now.” Ji huffed.

“It started a couple weeks ago when I told him I would he working with Jay. He got all weird about it and I jokingly asked accused him of being jealous.”

“You didn't” Ji said seriously.

“I did! What now I can't even joke with him?” you asked, and watched as Ji shook his head disapprovingly.

“Then he came to the studio with Mingyu when Jay and I were writing lyrics. We were supposed to go out to eat but Jay and I took longer to write than I thought. So when they got there he was still there. I introduced them and everything was just fucking weird. Then at dinner he said like two sentences, so I ghosted because it was so awkward and he was being so fucking weird”

“Is that all?” he asked.

“No. He asked me to stop talking to him.” you admitted

“What?! Why?” Ji asked, surprised by the turn of the conversation.

“I have no idea. I told him we'd finished recording and did the music video already. Then I told him Jay asked me out” you said, and then Ji cut you off.

“Wait Jay asked you out?” Ji yelled at you

“Yes. And I told Wonwoo I turned him down because I have a boyfriend.” Again, Ji cut you off.

“What? When the fuck did you get a boyfriend?! How did I not know this?!”

“Oh my fucking God. You and Wonwoo are the same! I don't have a boyfriend. I just told Jay that so he wouldn't ask again. But Wonwoo asked the same thing and I said I didn't have a boyfriend, but I wasn't looking because there was someone I want to be with, but it's confusing.”

“Damn. You're out there just breaking that boys heart.” Jihoon said, sighing loudly.

“What?”

“He doesn't want to hear about you liking someone else. I know that much.” Ji said.

“For fucks sake Ji. It's Wonwoo! I'm in love with Wonwoo!” you screamed at him.

You got nothing in return but a blank look.

“But it's not like I could tell him that over text, or even at all! I hardly know him, we haven't known each other long and I'm pretty sure I'm just one of the guys to him. Im not going to make things awkward by telling him how I feel.”

You were on the verge of tears at this point. You'd never admitted it out loud. It was nuts. You couldn't be in love with him. You guys have known each other long. There were still things you didn't know about him, and yet here you were, madly in love.

You'd started liking him when he was just pomegranate guy. The guy you randomly talked to and could share stuff with. The guy who would let you rant about weird shit at two in the morning. And then after learning who he was and hanging out with him, it just increased by the thousands. Each time he smiled at you, laughed with you, hugged you, your heart fell deeper. Soon you realized there was no escape. You were in love with him

You sank onto the couch in his studio, Ji immediately coming to sit next to you.

“You seem surprised.” Ji said

“I kind of am. It's… It's crazy right?” you asked.

“No at all. I suspected it a while ago. You look at him as if he's the only one in the room. Sometimes you even talk to him as if he's the only one, and all 13 of us are there. Anything happens, big or small, and you want to tell him immediately. I'm not surprised at all.” Ji admitted.

“You should really tell him.” Ji said softly.

“I can't. I don't want to lose him. Other than you, he's my best friend.” Truth was, you were scared. You didn’t want to be rejected and ruin what you guys had.

“Your best friend who you’re in love with. That's not fair to you to hold it in. I know you're scared, I can see it on your face, but noona, you need to tell him.”

"No. I can't. I won’t.” you said stubbornly.

“Come here. I want to show you something” Ji said suddenly, yanking on your hand.

“I'm not in the mood Ji” you said, trying to pull your hand from his.

“I don't care. Come on” he said, not letting go.

You didn't move so Jihoon picked you up and then you over his shoulder.

“Seriously? Put me down.” you said, slapping his back. He ignored your pleas until you reached one of the small practice they used to practice their vocals in.

“Just sit here and listen.” Ji said, throwing you down.

“Ji stop this isn't funny.” you started saying. But then you heard music start and a low voice filtered through the partially opened door.

I know how to let you leave. But how am I supposed to let you go? And now you stand in front of me...and all the rain was turning into snow.

You looked in and saw the profile of Wonwoo, sitting on the floor, microphone in hand. You should have walked away, you intended on walking away. But you didn't.

Can you tell me that you're real so I can really know, that everything I feel I called finally show. Standing next to me, is the person I can be is finally here, and I won't back down at all.

You watched him sing, voice and profule showing all the pain he must be feeling, making tears spring to your eyes and your heart constrict tightly in your chest.

But I can't stop thinking how you just keep making sense of all that was broken before. And I won't keep faking, I'm so done with taking. With you. I'm not broken anymore.

You tuned to where Ji has been standing, only to see an empty hallway.

You walked to the door, intending on opening it, but you froze. You stood agsinst the wall next to the open door, and listened.

I've seen the empty deep. I've damned up the water flow. You are the touchstone, my complete. You're the ship that kept me afloat.

You slid down the wall into a sitting position and let the tears flow freely. The song was so beautiful and Wonwoo’s voice tore at your heart more and more.

Can you tell me that you're real so I can really know, that everything I feel I called finally show. Standing next to me, the person I can be is finally here, and I won't back down at all. But I can't stop thinking how you just keep making sense of all that was broken before. And I won't keep faking I'm so done with taking. With you, I'm not broken anymore.

You all but broke down in the hallway as you heard him sing the chorus two more times. Voice filling with even more emotion than the previous time.

The violins in the background just made it even more emotional.

You weren't sure how long you sat there for, but you heard Wonwoo sing a couple different parts to the song again, changing it up each time. What didn't change was how beautiful and haunting his voice was as he sang that song.

You heard him sigh loudly and mutter a pained damn it.

Your brain wasn't working as quick as it normally does because by the time you heard his footsteps, he was already opening the door all the way.

He stopped suddenly upon seeing you’re prone form outside the door. You could only imagine how you looked. Hair a mess from running your hands through it, face tear stained and red. You had no energy to try and hide it right now.

“Y/n? Are you okay? What's wrong?” He asked frantically.

You slowly stood up, losing your balance in the process. Wonwoo immediately reached out to help you, but you flinched back. You knew with the deep lyrics he had written the song, but knowing he'd never return your feelings hurt. Whoever he wrote the song for was more than lucky in your eyes. When you felt his hands on your waist to steady you, it was like a white hot iron straight to your heart.

Once you were standing fully, he quickly removed his hands from you.

“That song was beautiful” you said meekly.

“You were eavesdropping on me?” He asked, voice now accusatory.

“It wasn't intentional. I was kinda... dropped here. I was going to walk away, but then I heard your voice and I was glued here.” you said, dropping your eyes to the floor upon seeing the anger on his face.

“That doesn't mean you can just listen in to people's private sessions. You're a producer you know that.” he reminded you.

“I didn't mean…” you started to defend, but your voice wasn’t coming out.

“No. You never mean to. It just happens, and there's no ramifications right? Whatever Y/n wants, Y/n does!” Wonwoo said.

“I don't..I don't mean to do that.” Was that really how you were? Were you selfish?

“Well you do. Why are you even here?” he asked.

“I was visiting Ji” you answered quietly, eyes still trained on the floor in front of you.

“So how did you end up outside of this room? Ya know what, never mind, I don't even want to know. I can't do this right now. I can't be here with you right now. This is killing me.” he said, causing you to look up at him, just in time to see him shake his head at you.

You watched as he turned to walk away.

You aren't sure what came over you, but before you had time to process it, you'd already spoke.

“I love you”

{14}

Link to song used in this part. It’s Not Broken Anymore by Blue October.

#wonwoo #jeon wonwoo #svt #fake texts #seventeen #jihoon #mingyu #woozi #scenario #imagine #svt fake texts #seventeen fake texts #wonwoo fake texts #wonwoo scenario #wonwoo imagine #joy-bangtan

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