#i am far from a professional singer but i am having fun

[hylianengineer]

WHAT is wrong with my mic this time, I swear to god, why does this always happen. Am I not loud enough? Do I need to be closer to it? It was like two inches from my mouth, how is that not close enough? I know it's working because I'm getting SOMETHING, but it's cutting out like every other line. Grrr.

#i was going to share some music with you all but apparently it was not to be #maybe another time #i really should be doing my ecology final right now but i have been procrastinating #hylian rambles #for some reason most of my go-to songs are about autumn. dunno why. they're pretty. #remind me to share them sometime when i have more spoons to battle stupid microphone glitches #i don't really know if anyone would listen to them anyway but why not? #i am far from a professional singer but i am having fun #hylian's music tag #i need to check the older files to make sure it was the mic and not the mp3 converter that's the problem #i just wanna make art why must there be technical difficulties?

[greynatomy]

Restart

Florence Pugh x Fem!Reader, Hailee Steinfeld x Fem!Reader

Part two of Memories, so if you want some backstory, read Memories first. Give me some feedback on what you guys think.

Driving away from the house, Y/N realized that she really has nowhere to go. She was still new to Los Angeles, only moving here from England because of Florence’s career in acting that’s been growing. 

With no destination in mind whatsoever, she just wants to get as far away from the home she shared with her ex-fiancé, parking in the first hotel she saw, booking a room for quite a while. 

Meanwhile, with Florence, Zach tried to comfort her in any way that he can, but she ultimately kicked him out. He was her living guilt and didn’t even want to be in the same vicinity as him, even though she knew she was at fault. 

Florence was lost. Her and Y/N grew up together, practically attached at the hip. They were friends before lovers, and now she knew they would become strangers.

~~~

One Year Later

After a couple months of sulking, Y/N decided to get her shit together. She sobered up, started working out, and changed her whole look. She buzzed all of her hair off, bleached it and dyed it platinum. She even got a couple tattoos on her arms. She stoped feeling sorry for herself and wanted to start over. 

Weeks after the incident happened, Raffie, Florence’s younger sister, did reach out to Y/N, catching up and making sure she was doing fine, same with her brother Toby. Y/N had been closest with them. They informed Y/N with how disappointed their parents had been at their sister because they saw Y/N as part of their family since they could remember.

Y/N did, however, stop her career in being a singer and just decided to become a full time writer and producer where she’s met many people who she can even call family. One of them being an amazing woman named Hailee Steinfeld. 

~~~

Y/N has been in contact with someone who had a client that wanted to record and release an EP. She didn’t know who, but was just excited that this person picked her instead of any other producers out there who’s worked with more artists.

The person she talked to is currently on his way to Y/N’s studio to meet for the first time. To say that Y/N is nervous is quite the understatement. She has no idea who she’ll be working with, just that she’s a woman who wants to release her first EP. 

She was broken out of her thoughts by her phone’s chime, stating that they were at the door. She goes to open it, being greeted by two people. A man dressed a bit professionally and a woman dressed in jeans, a sweater, and a cap. 

“Hey, guys. Come in. Make yourselves comfortable.”

“Hi.” Michael, the manager, said, reaching for a handshake. “We’ve been speaking on the phone. It’s so nice to actually meet in person. This is Hailee and it will be her first time releasing an EP if everything goes well.”

“Yeah, hi Hailee. I’m Y/N and I am very excited for you and to work on this with you.”

“Nice to meet you.” Hailee said, shaking her hand.

“Well, I actually have elsewhere to be so it’ll just be the two of you, which I think will be best to give you guys space to get to know each other and just be yourself without someone creeping in the corner of the room. Alright, bye and have fun.”

“Alright, let’s get started.” Y/N takes a seat on her chair in front of her mixing desk, pulling out her notebook and a pen. “Do you have any ideas of what you want this EP to sound and look like?”

“Yeah, actually. Firstly, I want the EP to be self-named or at least to HAIZ. Secondly, I have some ideas and lyrics for a couple songs, but that’s about it.” Hailee said, also pulling out her own notebook.

“Would you mind if I took a look?”

“No, no. Go ahead.”

Looking through Hailee’s notebook, she was very impressed. “Hailee… this is amazing. I could definitely work with this.”

“Really? Thank you!”

“Okay. Let’s get to it.”

~~~

Six Months Later

The EP has been finished for a month now and has been released for a couple of hours. Y/N, however, is freaking out. Not because of anything really that serious, but she decided to not chicken out and ask Hailee out on a date tomorrow.

In the six months that they have known and worked on this EP together, Y/N and Hailee had grown very close together and even met Hailee’s parents as brother, who she’s also grown close with, Griffin becoming like an older brother for her too. 

It was very obvious that they both liked each other in everyone’s eyes except their own and just didn’t want to ruin the friendship they had by admitting their feelings for one another, but Y/N didn’t want to beat around the bush anymore.

Hailee is having an EP release party at her place so that’s where Y/N is. Only a couple friends and family are invited. It’s been a couple hours since the party started and Y/N’s social battery is running low so she decided to stand out on the balcony, just staring at the view.

“I knew I’d find you here.”

Turning around, she sees Hailee in a short red dress, looking beautiful as ever. 

“Hey. Still looking a beautiful as ever even a couple drinks down and some very rough dancing.”

“You calling me a crazy drunk dancer?”

“Oh, I would never, but you said it yourself.”

“You’re an ass.”

“I also do remember calling you beautiful.”

Heat creeps up onto Hailee’s face, turning away to hind the blush. 

“Thank you. You look very handsomely.”

“Thanks.” After a couple moments is silence, Y/N spoke up again. “Hey, so, I’ve been wanting to get this out for a while, but I’ve just been very scared and nervous to do so. Um, would you like to go out on a date with me sometime?” She said, rubbing the back of her head, looking down. “You don’t have to accept of course. This has just been weighing me down and I needed to tell you and with a couple drinks in me and this being a special day for you, I thought why not just do it now ri—”

“I would love to go on a date with you.” Hailee said, stopping Y/N’s nervous rambling.

“Really?” Y/N asked, eyes going wide, voice full of surprise.

“Of course.”

~~~

One and a Half Years Later

Feeling soft kisses being pressed all over her face, Y/N groans, pushing her face into the pillows more.

“Honey, wake up.” She hears the beautiful voice of her girlfriend. “I made breakfast.

“Breakfast?” She asked, slightly lifting her head from the pillow.

“Yeah, Hon. Let’s go downstairs before it gets cold.”

After freshening up a bit together, they go down to the kitchen where breakfast is played.

“Happy anniversary darling.”

“Happy anniversary honey.”

A few hours later, Y/N said she had to go to the studio really quick and Hailee would be accompanying her. Walking in, Hailee sees rose petals scattered on the floor, hears a soft melody playing, wondering what was happening.

“What’s all this?”

“Well, this is where we first met. Basically where my whole life changed. I told you about my how my last relationship went and how scared I was to let anyone else in romantically. How much she broke me, but you were able to patch me back up. You, Hailee Steinfeld, changed my whole life and I’d be the dumbest person in the world to let go of you. Who knew that in this very studio, I would meet the person who makes me whole. So…” Y/N grabs a small box from her pocket, opening it, then going down on one knee. “Hailee Caribe Steinfeld, will you marry me?”

~~~

Six Months Later

“Do you, Y/N, take Hailee, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?”

“I do.”

“Do you, Hailee, take Y/N, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?”

“I do.”

“Well, with the power vested in me, I now pronounce you wife and wife. You may now kiss.”

Without wasting anymore time, the newlyweds smash their lips together in a bruising kiss.

During the reception, four people walk towards Y/N.

“Congratulations!”

“We are so happy for you.”

“Thank you guys for coming. I wouldn’t have been mad if you didn’t want to show up.”

“Just because my sister fucked up big time did not mean that we had to stop being there for each other.” Raffie said.

“Yeah, you’re family” Toby added.

“You’ve been family ever since we met you at just five years old.” Their mother said.

“We thought that when you got married we’d be in laws, but nope, you’re still my best friend slash big sister.”

“Raffie?!”

“What? Too soon?”

“That was actually pretty funny.” They all laughed. “Alright I gotta go to my wife, but have fun.”

“Hey, Mrs. Steinfeld.” Hailee said, wrapping her arms around Y/N’s neck.

“Hey, Mrs. Steinfeld. Wow, you’re actually my wife. Life is great.”

“I love you.”

“I love you more.”

“Not possible.”

“Oh, it’s very possible.”

~~~

Three Months Later

“BABE!” Hailee shouts.

“What?! What happened?!”

“We’re getting her?”

“What?”

“We got approved. We’re getting her next week!”

“Are you serious?”

“I am!”

“WOOOO!”

~~~

One Week Later

A knock on the door snaps the couple out of their trance, quickly walking over to the front door and opening it.

“Hi, please come in.”

Settling on the couch, the social worker gave us a little rundown about the three year old girl.

Cautiously, Y/N and Hailee crouch near the small child sitting next to her social worker.

“Hi. My name is Y/N and this is my wife Hailee. What’s your name?”

“Aurora.”

“Nice to meet you Aurora. Would you like to see your room?” 

Aurora perks up, hearing how she would get her own room. She gets off the couch and reaches for Hailee’s hand, being led to her own room upstairs, which is close to the couple’s bedroom.

A while later, after being acquainted, the social worker leaves. The three of them are sitting on the front of Aurora’s room playing with all the toys they bought.

Y/N looks over at the two, seeing her wife interact with Aurora, something she will never get tired of. She’s got her her wife and her daughter. What more could she ask for?

———

“Darling? Could you grab Rory from the car please. She fell asleep on the way home.” Y/N said, finally talking her attention away from Florence.

*****

Tags:

@jeyramarie @kassies-take

#florence pugh x reader #florence pugh #hailee steinfield x reader #hailee steinfeld #florence pugh angst #hawkeye #marvel #celebrity #florence pugh imagine #hailee steinfeld imagine

[halliescomut]

Jeff Satur-Lucid MV costar Nene Pornappan Pornpenpipat

So I know we've all been rewatching Lucid's MV, because it's so wonderful and beautiful, but of course I was curious about Jeff's costar, because I always am. So I looked her up, and turns out if you're a BL watcher, you may have recognized her. (I did not, though I have watched both seasons of this show, but I did think she was really beautiful.)

She's in 2gether the series, which is awesome. I did a very brief look into her, and the woman has a pretty wild career history and is also wonderfully talented. I didn't want anyone who watched Jeff's video to think that she's just a pretty face (though clearly she's very beautiful) so I did a smidgen of a deep dive.

I'll start with the basics...she is a Thai-Chinese (born in Bangkok, though both parents have Chinese ancestry) actress, and singer. Her Thai name is Pornnappan Pornpenpipat, and her Chinese name is Zheng Naixin. She uses the nickname Nene across pretty much all of her career endeavors. She's 25, and her birthdate is 25 June 1997. You can find her Instagram (nenevader) here.

Her professional career starts out in 2013, where she competed in True Academy Fantasia 10 (AF10) as the youngest contestant, being 16 at the time. Two years later she would debut with Thai idol group MilkShake managed by GMM Grammy. (You can see her in the center below.)

They released 2 singles, one in 2015 as their debut, and a second in 2016. While not officially disbanded as far as I can find, they have not released new music since 2016.

From 2016 to 2022 she would act in various roles in various countries, including Vietnam and China, and eventually play the role of Air in 2gether the series, which is also produced by GMM (specifically GMMTV).

In April of 2020 Nene participated in the Tencent Video's Chinese girl group reality competition show, Produce Camp 2020, eventually debuting as a member of BonBon303 in August of that year.

From 2020 to 2022 BonBon303 would release 3 EPs eventually disbanding in July of 2022. During those two years Nene would also continue appearing in various Chinese shows, including reality and variety shows.

She debuted as a solo artist with the single Promise on July 12, 2022, under Sony Music China.

You can watch the official MV here. (It's a good song, very much a kind of chill pop-y summer bop, appropriate to it's release date.)

In the midst of all of this she also works sporadically modelling (unsurprising, as she is very beautiful) and was also a brand ambassador and promoter for Leader and Lancome respectively.

More impressively she also worked as a cultural Ambassador in 2022 as the China-Thailand Cultural Ambassador (I'm assuming one of many) and as the 2022 Thailand Customs Festival China-Thailand Cultural Exchange Ambassador. We have been seeing especially over recent years an increase in cross-country- and cross-cultural cooperation amongst many East Asian and South East Asian countries (Remember Jeff was also part of the KonnecThai Music and Arts event in late April of this year).

She also has her first solo fanmeet in Bangkok coming up at the end of this month for her birthday, which is awesome and I hope she has a really fun time.

Now this is a lot of basic information, but doesn't give us much in the way of personality other than to clearly display that this women is multi-talented and determined. I can't personally attest to her personality, but based around her choices for her solo song/MV, and her Instagram posts, she seems to be very cool, she doesn't shy away from posting casual, candid, or unmade-up photos on IG, which always adds point in my book for authenticity.

I'm not saying you need to follow her or stan her, or anything else, but I know how much Jeff values his own career (especially now that it's 100% under his control) and I don't think he would have chosen Nene, if he didn't think she was a pretty cool person. Here's some pics/clips she and Jeff posted of the BTS of the Lucid MV where they are clearly having a lot of fun.

If you wanna look for some more info, you can start on her Kprofile page here, or also check her Wikipedia page here.

#Pornappan Pornpenpipat #Nene Pornappan #Zheng Naixin #jeff satur #Jeff Satur Lucid #Lucid MV

[olliethescribe]

Also Hypno hcs

hehe you made a mistake making ur inbox public

Hypno headcanons (I have many)

a fire hazard, there’s a reason we don’t see him use flash paper (and by extension, his gloves are fire-proof)

one of four siblings, likely a middle child (parallels Leo), had a rowdy upbringing 

Trans masc, bisexual (I mean, his sexuality is canon)

Rock collection, mostly purple gems, likes the smooth ones

Names every single one of his animals

Most likely actually learned about hypnotism (and by extension magic - it drives me batty that he was introduced as a master hypnotist (I’ve rewatched newsworthy too many times)  and then they went full on magician with him). Anyway, he probably learned about it at the, and I am not making this up I swear to the gods above, New Zealand Gypsy Fair. It likely inspired his let’s just say bold costume choices, from the hoop earring to the waist wrap. 

He’s Māori. It makes the most sense to me.

Totally had to alter his speech pattern when getting to the united states, knows far too much kiwi slang and cannot use it

Also autistic (magic flavored)

Is good with kids, spent some time as a children’s entertainer 

Very professional and takes what he does seriously, encourages others to learn about magic so they’re more informed about his craft

Resents that he can hypnotize people at will, does it to make certain goals easier to attain 

Loves himself in any form and is chill being a hippo man, misses Doug

He totally stole that hippo from a zoo 

Was most likely rejected a lot as a human, it sucked (it’s evident in Newsworthy - he takes being tricked extra poorly and seems very hurt)

Good singer - this one’s just fun to think about 

[linskywords]

Taylor Swift Meets Hockey RPF: Advent Calendar Day 20

The 6th ficciest Taylor Swift song of all time is…

Song: Gorgeous Album: Reputation Year: 2017 Lyrics: https://genius.com/Taylor-swift-gorgeous-lyrics Ficciness Rank: #6

The hockey boy dynamic in this one, I am dying. Making fun of each other because you can’t handle the way the other person makes you feel? Ignoring the other person because you want them so bad? Being angry because you don’t want to feel this way but the other person isn’t giving you any choice? Very hockey and also very relatable.

This song is so tongue-in-cheek and also has some serious potential for angst. Check out this bit:

“If you've got a girlfriend, I'm jealous of her But if you're single that's honestly worse 'Cause you're so gorgeous it actually hurts”

Allow me to betray a little too much of my own life history by saying boy, do I know that feel. If this guy is dating someone, okay, yeah, you’ll be jealous, but if he’s single? Suddenly you have to deal with the maelstrom of thoughts and possibilities and–should you make a move? What if he turns you down? Oh god, what if he doesn’t? That can be overwhelming even if you aren’t a professional hockey player who has to worry about potential homophobia from the public and from his teammates. You should really stop thinking about this. But you can’t, and it’s THIS GUY’S FAULT. So annoying.

(Slight points off this one for the singer already having a boyfriend. But we’re gonna ignore that.)

Pairing I’d assign to this song: This has to be Tyson Barrie. He’s already on record talking about how gorgeous Gabriel Landeskog is. I have no doubt that he spent his years on the Avs feeling exactly this: how dare Gabe be so amazing and make him feel this way?? I think we’re going with Gabe’s POV on this story. He and Tyson are friends, obviously, they have a great time hanging out, and Gabe doesn’t mind if sometimes Tyson does weird things like get a little too drunk and make fun of the accent that Gabe is pretty sure he doesn’t even have. Gabe just laughs it off as Tyson being Tyson. But then one night Tyson maybe has a couple too many drinks and says even more outrageous things about Gabe than he usually does. Gabe still doesn’t mind, but Tyson leaves early–EJ hustles him out of there–and Nate sits down next to Gabe and shakes his head ruefully and apologizes for Tyson. “He just never got past the pigtail-pulling phase, you know?”

Gabe: “The what?”

Nate: “You know, pigtail-pulling. Like when a little kid likes someone so he pulls her pigtails?”

Gabe: “Sorry, did you say when he likes someone?”

Nate, with a dawning look of horror: “…Oh no, I’VE had too much to drink. EJ, take me home too!”

Gabe’s world is rocked to its foundations. Tyson…LIKES him? Gabe’s never even considered this possibility before. Does that mean Tyson’s thinking about the two of them doing…oh god, he probably is. And maybe even…and what if he’s thinking about it right now?? Gabe was not built to handle these possibilities.

He decides, after a sleepless night of picturing Tyson picturing…things, that he’s going to have to let Tyson down easy. It’s the only way to move past this. He goes over to Tyson’s place, but then Tyson opens the door and Gabe looks him in the face and he can’t say it. He can’t say anything at all.

Tyson: “Gabe? Did you want something?”

Gabe: “Yeah, I just came here to give you this.”

And then he gives Tyson the longest and most satisfying kiss of his life. So far, anyway.

Lyrics to title this story: Take It As a Compliment

Masterpost Playlist

<Prev | Next>

#gabe's pretty sure they can beat that record soon #you know if they put the effort in #advent 2022 #ficciest taylor #hockey rpf #taylor swift #tyson barrie #gabriel landeskog #Youtube

[sonsband]

Hi!! Is your Atiny secret Santa

I'm so sorry I was mia for so long I swear I didnt forget about you! I just didnt come online much; It was my birthday week so I guess that already answers part of your question heheh

SanHwa is such an amazing duo to have as biases!! (and yes, Wooyoung absolutely comes with the package hahaha) Honestly... I could easily be ot8 cause just like you I start to talk about my biases and then start adding the others cause like... They are all amazing

You have been an Atiny way longer than I have! They really caught my attention during kingdom Which Changmin was the MC of and I never made the connection but YES!!! he and Hwa really have very similar vibes!! (tho Hongjoong at 2020 Mama had me intrigued as well) Have you been on tumblr since the beginning or are you new to this part of the fandom?

idk how involved you are and if I would be exposing myself if I told you my bias line, so I'll refrain for now hahah

Any favorite moments from your biases?? Together or individually...

Hope you are having a good weekend!!

omg noooooo don't worry about that! happy birthday! I hope it was wonderful, did you do anything special? I love that you give yourself a whole week, it is absolutely deserved.

They’re so precious, I like my idols talented but also a little cringe, and those two (well, four) are extra ridiculous. I love when they start being menaces to each other, especially the short kings. They’re all my little cousin’s age, and I’m just so fond of them in the same way I am about her (the fact San had the audacity to be born on the same day as her, of course he’s the way he is).

Kingdom was so much fun fjelsjklejsk Changmin is my absolute favorite of all so I was on board even before the groups were announced and I spent the whole time like Changmin… look at him… he is you… One of my best friends on here became my bestie because we started writing reviews of Kingdom as a professional theater designer and a former semi-serious singer, and we spent the whole time like is it this serious? No. But also yes it very much is, here’s another eight hundred words about this three-minute stage. We tried to be objective but so much of it was "Did you HEAR San do that?!" And oh my god Hongjoong is SUCH a good physical actor, he was so good at the 2020 MAMAs, I love when he embraces it and takes center stage. I’m taking dance classes to improve my acting now and then he kicks me while I’m down by claiming he’s not good smh like Uta would love him.

I’ve been on Tumblr far too long, but not in this corner, I don’t know anyone lmao. A handful of users really ruined Ateez Tumblr for me (they were racist AND wrote rpf smut, like, pick a struggle) so I stayed away, but they’re probably a sliver of a minority so I’m trying again. So you can give me a little hint, I swear I won’t know haha.

This is the single greatest moment of all, he’s insane for this. He did all that for free for a face cam. EGOT when?!?! But I won’t lie, my heart absolutely melts every time Wooyoung gets someone to cuddle with him, and that video where Hongjoong goes to check on Wooyoung and San and then tells them to get a little more sleep and they immediately launch themselves at each other for more snuggles… your honor, those are brothers.

How about you? Or if you won’t share who your favorite members are, just a good moment?

Have a wonderfully restful weekend and enjoy the rest of your birthday celebrations!

#atzss22

[qnewslgbtiqa]

Drag Race UK vs the World: Tom Daley, Kim Petras set to guest judge

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/drag-race-uk-vs-the-world-tom-daley-kim-petras-set-to-guest-judge/

Drag Race UK vs the World: Tom Daley, Kim Petras set to guest judge

In anticipation of the series premiere of Drag Race UK vs the World, the guest judges set to join Mama Ru have been ru-vealed. 

The following celebrities and Drag Race super fans will join Michelle Visage, Alan Carr, Graham Norton at the judges’s table:

Actor and Fashion model, Adwoa Aboah

Comedian, writer and presenter, Katherine Ryan

Singer-songwriter, Kim Petras

Professional dancer and Strictly Come Dancing judge, Motsi Mabuse

Actor and presenter, Richard E Grant

Singer, musician and actor, Self Esteem

Team GB diver and Olympic gold medallist, Tom Daley OBE

When asked about her time at RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Adwoa Aboah says: “It was a privilege and joy to be a part of something so stunning! The judges, the Queens… it was by far one of my most glamorous and hysterical days yet!”

IN OTHER NEWS: RuPaul’s Drag Race queen trolls Emmys in green goblin drag

Tom Daley said: “I am the biggest Drag Race fan. It’s the most iconic show on TV with so many one liners that’ve made it into my daily dialogue. It’s been a long time coming, and I’m finally going to be a guest judge! After all, Drag Race is the Olympics of drag. But what shall I wear? Red wig and a silver dress? I don’t think.”

Katherine Ryan said: “Joining Ru and my fellow judges on the panel was everything I’d hoped for and more. I’m such a fan of the show and the queens were even more breath-taking in person. The show brings so much joy and I’d be back in a heartbeat!”

READ MORE: Every Drag Race franchise of 2023 ranked

Kim Petras said: “This is a pinch me moment, I love drag race and everything the show represents. The queens were even more beautiful in person. Thank you for having me Ru – I had so much fun.”

Additionally, singer and TV presenter Jane McDonald and TV personality Sinitta will be joining Ru for Snatch Game.

The latest season of Drag Race UK vs the World is particularly exciting for fans down under, with Hannah Conda set to represent Australia on the main stage.

The full list of Queens featuring in Drag Race UK vs the World are below:

International Queens

Arantxa Castilla-La Mancha – Spain

Hannah Conda – Australia

Keta Minaj – Holland

La Grande Dame – France

Marina Summers – Philippines

Mayhem Miller – United States of America

Scarlet Envy – United States of America

And they will be competing against Drag Race UK Queens;

From luscious Leicester Gothy Kendoll – series 1

This Queen of Clapham is far from common its Tia Kofi – series 2

It’s the spicy Angel of the North, representing Newcastle Choriza May – series 3

And finally the Belfast belle Jonbers Blonde – series 4.

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs the World season 2 is streaming in Australia on Stan from February 10.

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

#Drag Race

[allthemusic]

Week ending: 4 March 1954

Well, I like the look of this next song, not least because it looks like it might be by a band? We don't seem to see many bands at this point, or not in the way you'd have today. There are "X and His Band" type swing ensembles galore, and backing singers are sometimes credited with a name that makes them sound like a band, but again it's usually "X and the Singing Lads", or something of that ilk. Or a solo singer / a duet. Which makes me all the more intrigued about this next track which actually reached No. 1! The first band to hit the top spot?

I See the Moon - The Stargazers (peaked at No. 1)

Well, we being with a janky pub piano. It's a sound I would have written off as a one-off novelty if I hadn't been doing this project. Since I am, I can fairly confidently say that this is just the logical development of what Winifred Atwell is doing, a sort of deliberately out-of-tune, rowdy style.

The Stargazers, of course, take it one further by featuring a duff-sounding tambourine, a depressed-sounding trumpet and a drunk-sounding mixed chorus. The Stargazers themselves? They don't sound a very professional outfit, if so - you could have told me you pulled this lot out of a gutter at 2 am on New Year's Day and I wouldn't not believe you.

The overall effect should be bad, and I think it is bad? Only it's also somehow quite fun - a rowdy, nursery-rhyme sort of knees-up that you can't help but get behind as it lurches back and forth. It's got the sort of simple nonsense lyrics that you could legitimately sing while drunk: "Over the mountain / Over the sea / Back where my heart is longing to be / Please let the light that shines on me / Shine on the one I love." Repeat ad nauseam, possibly literally if you've had as many pints as these folks sound like they have.

Actually, when I said nursery-rhyme, I wasn't wrong. The "I see the moon / The moon sees me" line comes straight from a nursery rhyme attested as far back at 1784, in the wonderfully named compendium Gammer Gurton's Garland: or, The Nursery Parnassus which is also the first attested source for such notables as Goosey Goosey Gander, Roses are Red and There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe. So that's something - a song with heritage.

Then we slip into a bit with lots of people passing the lyrics round, with a bunch of spoken "uh huh" bits. There seems to be a real range of unrealistic comedy accents, including a lot of Cockney and some cod-Italian? The overall effect, somehow, is Muppets. I can't explain why. Just listen, and you'll get the idea. In fact, the whole song could very convincingly be performed by the Muppets.

We get one really annoying bit as a man patronisingly commands the hordes to "let the little lady with the tambourine sing", following by an actually infuriating giggle, and then a repeated gag about her being rubbish at singing. First she tries to come in too soon, then she misses her cue, then the man has to tell her to sing louder, then to sing quieter. It's desperately unfunny.

Still, it's mostly back to likable, especially as she pipes down and contents herself with the odd, rather field-marshall-esque cries of "Everybody all together" and "Everybody once again". Which - and this might be a reach - actually feels like a rather Beatles-like "all together now" moment. It's straight from that most British institution, the music hall. And you know what, I like it! I don't know why anyone committed this to vinyl, or why anyone bought it. But I enjoy that it exists.

That was a journey. I can't wholeheartedly recommend that you listen to this. At the same time, if you do, I really hope you enjoy it. It's a journey, for sure!

Favourite pick of the ambiguously-drunk bunch: I See the Moon

#uk charts #1954 #the stargazers

[ahiddenpath]

IRL, is it possible to learn to sing at the same level as Eimi/Amy without the help of a singing teacher or coach?

I'm tossing this one beneath a cut because it's long and rambly, and I am not even sure if I answered exactly what you are asking. I apologize if I missed the mark.

But I love music and I love personal growth and learning, so I'm so happy you're thinking about it and asking these qs! I wish I were better equipped to answer, but I will try my best :D

I'm not sure... Eimi usually has formal and/or informal training. She takes formal university vocal training in Four Years and Seeking Resonance, and she did a lot of singing at school/theater club in high school in FY, plus practicing/working on singing and guitar by herself and with Matt since middle school. In Puits d'Amour, she got her knowledge from a kindly neighbor who shared her instruction and music resources, and then went on to formal training in university via scholarship. In the Growing Up with You line, she does a lot of singing in school/clubs from early elementary school, so she has the least formal training there. But every time I write Eimi, music is a big part of her life, even if it's just a hobby she practices alone or with choirs.

I'm not involved in the music industry or formal music/vocal performance criticism, so I'm not sure how much I can really comment without just... reaching/guessing? I imagine that the musicians we know have a broad range of formal training/backgrounds. Some probably went to a ton of formal schooling, some probably learned from family or taught themselves. Some maybe made a YouTube channel and blew up.

I do know that I took some formal singing training in college, and it was far less helpful than my casual, once-a-week coaching in high school. Were the college classes bad? Was my high school music teacher just a really great teacher? No idea! I do know my old guitar teacher told me that most guitarists can't read music, and being able to can help you land performance gigs, which to me implies a range of education.

While I do agree that there are probably folks out there born into wealthy and/or musical families who trained them since they could sing/hold an instrument... I think it's kind of sad to assume someone will never be an outstanding performer without that kind of background. But I don't think that's really what you're saying/asking, either.

Traditionally, music lessons, instruments, and travel for performances cost a lot of $$$. I'm not trying to downplay that. But the good news is that we are in an unprecedented time where there are lessons for free online, plus online classes available for a monthly subscription, which is a lot cheaper than music school. It's an incredible time to be learning music/an instrument/how to sing! There are also local performance choirs and groups, I belonged to one in college and it was a blast! If you're looking to improve (and please forgive me if I misunderstood you), then there are options, and some of them are low cost/free, and some of them are so much fun and will give you a community and people to learn from/grow with!

Basically, I think anything is possible if you work at it daily, take advantage of every resource you can find, and actively go for it and find a community. For me, personally, I have so much fun singing that it's never a waste, even if I'm not making huge improvement strides. But I also think the end goal matters, too. Like, are you looking for a fun hobby that provides a sense of growth? Or are you looking to become a famous/professional singer? For the first, anything is possible and it's so achievable! The second presents a lot more obstacles and requires luck/chance and the ability to market yourself, on top of everything else.

I have no idea if that was helpful, or if I really answered your q, but I'm wishing you fun and happiness in your musical journey! Thanks for the ask <3

#ask hidden

[knowlessman]

doo doo DOO dooo, doo doo dootdoot doo, doo doo DOO doo, doo doo DOOTDOOTDOO dootdoo (bnha s2e21-25)(it's the FI-NAL EX-AM…)

(excuses re quirks and skimpy costumes, midnight and mt lady catfight) why

okay this OP might slap actually, the higher voice gives some idfk contrast or whatnot, makes it interesting. that and the generally more… introspective (?) tone of voice of the main singer? idfk I like this one

I hear tell we start getting less mineta at some point, when's that? ( :

bakugo studies?

…idk what I think about momo tbh. mid, I guess. kind of a Captain Carrot almost, except not OP; she doesn't even get to, like, win. the competence and likability are there, but Carrot's acknowledged overpoweredness and impossibly-perfect benevolence give him a compelling weirdness that momo doesn't have. momo doesn't stand out any more than kyoka does, but kyoka has a "cool teenager" personality and a rad costume.

don't try to make me relate to laserguts (he apparently got the 18th-highest score out of 20, also tho who in the entire fuck grades midterms by ranking the students what the shit is that)

…this blonde guy from B is the most forgettable little shit who ever lived, is he the guy with the Ditto ability from the horseplay event, that I wanted to not have to hate? : / -- k, Ninja Misty's name is Kendo and also she does have a name, she could turn out cool even if she doesn't seem to get a lot of screentime outside of hitting whatshisname

yaoyorozu. yaoyorozu. is it just because they're less common letters? is that why that one's harder to remember than uraraka? idfk

"I'm gonna do better than you, deku, whether you like it or not! you too, guy who only lost to me because he couldn't decide whether to tie one arm behind his back and was eminently unbothered about the result anyway!" vegeta gonna vegeet

"this time, you'll be fighting against the teachers!" … fun? this show has too many fun bits wtf it's almost just jojo but with a plot, no, more than one plot at a time, that actually have enjoyable writing in them -- curious if we'll see what Tonka Tough and… I can't even think of a joke for this one, but like, new surprises, this show is a neverending fucking birthday it's unreal

"deku and vegeta are a te my fucking gawd this is gonna be hell on a stick icanteven -- "oh and they're fighting jesus" vince mcmahon with laser eyes

obviously they would put the pervert against the other pervert smh

…wanna figure out whether they meant "if one escapes you win" or "if BOTH escape you win" but trying to understand what the rules are in this show has not proven fruitful so far so wever

so sato is basically choji from naruto then. meh -- 'XD almost surprised they could get the rights for the oraora but then I forgot Japan is a bit less Scrooge McDuck about copyright

(froppy and tokoyami) ah k so mr grin does clones… of some kind -- …I was not expecting Team Ice Climbers to be a thing, but I'm not NOT here for it -- (froppy doing...?) uh. -- 0_0 oh! oh, she can just regurgitate stuff, phew 'XD I misremembered what she said her other power was and thought the bird was gonna throw her stomach across the finish line

(iida and ojiro) "FUSION!" facepalm -- "you're going to have to toss me" counter is at 2. not complaining, I just think it's funny that that might end up being a common tactic here -- facepalm while looking back over the notes again iida is yoshi

(yaoyorozu and todoroki) "unless you've got a rudder and a lot of sails hidden in that bodice…" at least they paired her with another professional -- if we could just stop putting the 15-yo's chest in center screen that'd be great -- more to the point tho she Got To Do Things and had them work so good on that. and even when she wasn't sure of her own plan, she made the matryoshkas as flashbangs to begin with. you love to see it

(uraraka and laserguts) "do you like deku?" "WAAAA :O" lets go and flies backward then turns into a flying kick on sheer instinct mission failed successfully 'XD

(mina and kaminari) "I wonder how the principal will fight" this is gonna be REAL stupid, can't wait -- eh. 's good. no notes.

fuck yeah, been wondering what Korg's quirk is. also jiro's here too, happy bout that too -- oh, animals -- aye, mic's a hard counter to both. hm -- "these puny little ants outnumber him a hundred to" I mean yeah you get it -- 'XD koda doesn't like them either tho. Gonta Gokuhara, he is not

(hagukure and shoji) hagukure continues to mostly only be there for perv jokes -_-

(worst character and the tape guy) yeah this one's gonna be annoying. maybe they'll just skip it and do a cutaway thing saying they lost because mineta's worthless -- goddammit this fucker gets half a whole episode -- whoop de doo. she isn't attached to her whip tho… -- why'd that work? she fucking let him go for no reason. she wasn't even stuck to the ground herself, I don't think.

…I don't think I have anything going on tomorrow and my sleep pattern's already fucked, hell with it, might as well finish out the season here

"god explosion murder: origins" we know his origins, he has an inferiority complex because he was the king bully in a small town and thought he was the only kid who was gonna get into a big-name school, and he's just now being confronted with the fact that bluster and ego stop getting you anywhere past a point (when you aren't born a zillionaire) -- gonna be hard to talk vegeta out of flunking himself; best-case for deku is all might knocks him out and deku somehow pulls a win out of nowhere. I just really don't see bakugo getting nearly enough character development in nearly enough time to pass this, he's solidified too dense -- "you've been saying the greatest hero always wins since we were kids." yeah and he just stopped forming memories after that -- toss counter at 3 'XD -- JEEZUS, all might pulling the pro Smash player moves with that recoil tackle

-- well, I was sort of right about bakugo being knocked out. tbh tho I'm amazed that he let deku even touch one of his gauntlets, let alone fire one. he makes it hard not to underestimate and think the worst of him, but he keeps being scarily capable of cramming tactics into his head along with the piles and piles and piles of violence and hatred and self-hype

does it count as bakugo learning something from deku if what he learned was how to break himself in a bloodyminded grasp, not even for the moon, just to pass an exam, so that somebody has to fix him?

"some moved toward a new goal…" (shows uraraka) some got through on pure and unadulterated luck you mean

oh yeah, Handface and The Darkness are things. forgot about them. -- THE DANCING BOY HE'S HERE -- and, uh, Stab-Girl

I guess this one sets up the next season? we'll see

okay so I was understanding right that handface still doesn't like anything about stain and his "ideals," at least we're right side up on that. -- The Darkness is a good manager. spookily good.

uh. so. mr everything-i-touch-i-break has an arm around deku. did he just, like, win? -- …tea. frankly I dint know he wanted anyth - I'm sorry?

-- i -- …um. moving on? I think?

stain masks. freedom of merch, I guess : / getting weird with it this episode, I guess

"he yammered on about why he was doing what he was doing and got all over the news. I attacked a school for no explicit reason at all and everybody forgot about me. what's his secret, why are his ratings so much better than mine?"

uraraka could have wandered in from, it feels like, 60% of all the anime in existence. however, she does sometimes - well… the one time she really had her own plan was against bakugo and it didn't work, I dunno whether I can confidently say that she Gets To Do Things significantly more often than Sakura so far. : /

huh. not even an outro, then. but, uh, yeah, plot and things. quarter to five.

#knowless watches bnha

[uncle-fruity]

i saw your post abt t and singing and something i have been nervous about is how my singing voice will change. would you be willing to share more of what that was like?

Sure! Happy to share my experience so far! Sorry it took so long for me to respond, anon. Heads up, I'm probably gonna use musical roles as a reference point, because it's all I know lol

I've been on T for about a year and a half. I was an alto for most of my choir experience (which I did for about 8 or 9 years between school & college). I had a decent range -- though, I don't have the specifics -- and a strong voice. For a frame of reference, I was pretty comfortable singing along to the likes of Eponine & Fantine (Les Mis), Mrs. Lovett (Sweeney Todd), Millie (Thoroughly Modern Millie), Tracy Chapman, Janice Joplin, and others in that sort of ballpark. That said I could bust out a few high notes when I was all warmed up & actively singing all the time.

So, that's some context to explain the shift I've experienced. I'll say that so far I haven't had much trouble singing! I've had to shift some of my muscle memory, especially when I want to get those deeper & richer tones. There's a small part of my range where my voice just can't handle it right now & will crack or squeak, right around the shift between my chest & my head voice. Though, I had trouble with that shift even before starting T, so 🤷🏻‍♂️ could just be a gap in my skillset exacerbated by the changing vocal chords. I probably need to get an actual voice coach to help me with it or something.

The way my voice dropped has been steady. I'm not sure if it's at the lowest it's gonna be now or not, but it's decently lower than it was before. It was a gradual process. I'd take my shot, and sometimes I'd get a small sore throat for a few days (usually accompanied by some acne 😒), and then suddenly my voice would be capable of lower notes than before. And that's happened a couple times over the year & a half. More frequently in the beginning of my treatment.

In terms of depth, right now I can achieve most of Javert's (Les Mis) notes except for one or two of the lowest in his songs that I might be able to reach with more training. I'm very comfortable with all of Valjean's (Les Mis) parts, with pretty much no major gaps in terms of range. As long as I'm singing with the right muscles!

Can you tell I've been singing a lot of Les Mis recently? Lol

But actually? I feel that my voice is quite versatile. Like, I'm certainly not the most skilled singer in all the land, and I have some pretty obvious issues I'd need to fix if I wanted to be an Actual Professional, but I have some real range, that I feel is even better now that I can go lower. I sacrificed some of the higher notes, but I was barely using them anyway. I can still sing tons of songs from my old range (though, my tone is different & the notes aren't as strong as they used to be), which is pretty nice. I'm wondering if I'm #blessed or if that ability's gonna go away at some point.

What I will say is that my voice doesn't seem to have fully settled. I still have fluctuations in my voice that can be difficult to control. Sometimes, after a sore throat bc of the vocal chords changing, my voice will be tired & weaker bc I guess it gets worn out doing all that work! I think if a person whose main profession was their voice wants to go on T, they should expect to have to take it slower & maybe take a small hiatus up front until their voice settles a little & they get the hang of using it.

But yeah! I feel like I've rambled on here (as usual). I guess my main feeling is that I was never going to stop singing no matter what happened to my voice, and while it was the change I was probably most actively concerned about pre-t, I am absolutely over the moon that I can sing something like "Stars" in the intended octave now! I have so much more fun with singing now! I feel so much more comfortable with myself, and more confident in general, and so I just let loose and my voice is starting to come into its own.

I still have lots of learning & practice ahead of me, but so far it's been a satisfying journey! I'll have to report back in another year & see what changes I've undergone at that point!

All that said, I'm just one guy. Our bodies & our voices may be wildly different from one another & I wouldn't be able to tell you. I honestly feel pretty lucky to have the voice that I do. I don't know if other people are especially insecure or if I'm especially capable as a vocalist, but I feel like I see trans dudes who talk about having a harder time adjusting than I have, so I can't even tell you if my experience is standard or lucky or whatever.

Not that you asked for my advice, but I think you probably don't have to be too nervous (in my unprofessional opinion). The brain is very good at concocting up worst case scenarios for you & it's pretty much never that bad.

I think that as long as you love to sing, you'll always find a way to use your voice no matter how it shapes up. It's not so much what you have as it is how you use it, in my opinion.

But, as always when it comes to taking T, I think you should take your time and come to terms with your anxieties about it before starting it. T *will* change you in all sorts of ways, and it's okay to take your time sorting all your feelings out before diving in.

Hope that helps, anon! Hope you do what makes you happiest!

#ask box #anon ask #hrt #singing #transgender #queer #about me

[mygrandmotherspiano]

Hey! Remember that choir concert I mentioned? The reason for all the choir nonsense on here for the last month? Well, they recorded the concert, so I thought I’d share the link. That’s me in the center of the middle row on second soprano. The concert starts at around the 20 minute mark of the recording (which was taken from a livestream).  This group is very near and dear to my heart. I don’t know if I told this story on here before, but now on about ten years ago (oof...) I was part of the UAH music department, not as a major but just as a student musician. Most of my friends were in the conducting classes and I often came and sang or played with the lab groups. Every year, the senior conducting students would get the usual final project for advanced conducting: get yourself a small conducting gig, and rehearse and perform a piece for an audience. This was usually done by student conducting an ensemble at the university or by using the music group at a church (because everyone had the ubiquitous church job, or knew someone who did).  But that year, two things were a little different. The class was big, for one... eight students were graduating that year (usually it was more like four). And for two, they were all very close friends. There had been a lot of upheaval in the department that year... a lot of drama among the faculty... so this class was especially tight knit. So they decided this; Why don’t we pool our resources for this project and work together? Everyone call in every favor you have. Spread the word that we’re looking for musicians. Let’s get a small chamber wind ensemble and a chamber choir together, and put on a concert for our final exam. And it worked! We had around fifteen singers and about twenty wind players and we put on an hour long program with eight conductors. It became a yearly tradition after that. Nothing to do with the actual class anymore. Just a chance to get some conducting practice and play some cool music. Every summer, we’d light the beacons, so to speak. We’d gather everyone up and put on a concert... only now it’s two concerts since there’s one for wind band and one for choir. Though they’re still connected, and are sometimes done back to back... one year the choir did a set of Holst folksongs and the band did the Holst Suite in Eb based on the same songs.  The goal remains the same though; giving young conductors in town the chance to whet their skills at the podium. There’s really no other way to learn the craft. Score study and research and listening to recordings will only take you so far when its time to stand up in front of a bunch of people who may or may not be looking at you and give that first breath and downbeat. And that’s to say nothing about all the intricacies and pitfalls of producing a concert. Advertising. Venue rental. Rehearsal scheduling and planning. Hiring soloists. That’s more or less where I come in. Sure, I am a dependable voice on second soprano and know which end of a clarinet to blow in, but I’m also a professional stage manager for live music and theatre, so I lend my expertise and help the conductors plot and plan... not doing it for them, but offering gentle guidance just like the conducting clinicians we have. So anyway... give the concert a listen. It’s great fun and was quite a unique set of music. The conductors, while very new and very nervous, were amazing and conducted both themselves and us with aplomb. And the history of the group warms my heart. That gentleman speaking at the beginning? He was part of that first group of conductors all those years ago. This year he was our conducting clinician. Now he holds a master’s in conducting, and teaches at the university. He went from student to mentor. Boy, ten years can fly by.

#choir #choral music #conducting #personal

[gifted-burnout-archive]

Who Would’ve Thought

Requested?: yes! so this is a mashup of sorts. I got three separate requests: the first being an interview scene with a bitchy reporter, the second a y/n x luke with some enemies to lovers and an argument, but the actors get on really well, and the third was for a similar teasing, y/n x luke concept. This doesn’t quite cover every part of each request, but it gets a bit of all of them in, ya know?

Word count:

Author’s Note: i think this is the point where i just accept i am a jatp smut writer, right? i mean, it was only a matter of time before it happened... i liked this, writing it was so much fun, if you like this and want more send it in to me!

Warning: this became fluffy smut, you’re very welcome.

the masterlist is here, because i have more stuff like this.

--

“Ok, ok.” The laughs around set subsided after Madison’s joke, the reporter sitting up a little straighter and coughing to compose himself. “I have to ask, and I have to know since that trailer dropped last week… Y/N, I think everyone watching wants to find out a bit more about you and the character you’re bringing to season two?” He asked, turning his attention from the show’s star to the young woman sat beside her, who was wiping tears from the corners of her eyes, trying to stop laughing.

“What is it you want to know?” She asked, sharing a smiling with Madi as she too sat up straight in her chair once more, running a hand through her hair and crossing one leg over the other, all triggers to help her subside the giggles waiting to erupt from her chest, to calm down and get back to the professionalism she had practiced in her bedroom mirror.

“Well, for starters, what’s it been like, joining the Julie and the Phantoms crew? Am I right in saying this is your breakout role, just like it was for Madison last season?” He asked, and Y/N nodded, gripping Madi’s hand in hers.

“Yeah, it is. And I’ll tell you something, I wouldn’t have known what to do on day one without Madi. The closest I came to acting, to television, before this was when I played a tree in my kindergarten school play.” She explained, glancing past the reporter’s shoulder to see Kenny stood watching them with a grin, sending a thumbs up her way. Her body relaxed a little. “Yeah, I auditioned as a dare from a friend at college and, well…” She smiled wider. “Seems like the best decision I’ve ever made.”

“And from what I can tell, the rest of the cast sat in on your audition?” The reporter asked, looking to both girls for an answer.

“Not the first one.” Madi cleared up. “But Kenny and the casting team loved Y/N, and wanted to make sure she was the perfect fit. They had her perform on the sound stage, and the rest of us just sort of snuck in to watch.” She explained, letting go of Y/N’s hand to gesture as she spoke. “We were all just blown away, and Charlie was the first to shout out after she finished. He called out… What did he say?” Madi asked Y/N, who was laughing to herself at the memory.

“Kenny, will you hire her already?” Y/N answered, and the reporter chuckled again. “And from that moment on, I was Grace.”

“Yes, Grace, our mysterious new rebel child. What can you tell us about her?”

“Ok, so, we’ve got Kenny on standby in case I mess up and give away too much.” Y/N prefaced. “So, Grace is the new girl at Los Feliz High, Carrie’s cousin, and coming in with a bit of reputation where we left off season one. I think the best way to describe would be a musical influencer?” She glanced to Madi, who nodded in agreement. “Bit of a rebel, bit of a spanner in the works for Juke despite her and Luke quite adamantly disliking each other.” She added, and the reporter was nodding his head feverishly.

“Yeah, the trailer seemed to show it. Is that the character’s big goal, breaking up our OTP?” He asked, and Y/N bit her lip as she thought for a moment.

“I think she’s a character with a lot of growth, you get a lot from her in the season, which I was so honoured to bring to the table. We’re doing some reshoots tomorrow, finalising one of the big scenes the trailer didn’t show. I can’t say a lot, but Grace is definitely causing some tension this season, throwing in some music of her own too.” Y/N added, quick to change the subject of discussion to something she knew she was safe to talk on.

“What was it like, working with the rest of the cast on the new season’s album?” The reporter quizzed, taking the hint. “Madi, we heard you and Y/N singing together on the trailer, saw it in one of the stills, I can only wonder how two such talented singers get into each other’s rhythm, especially with the difference in genre. Obviously, Madi you have piano, but with Y/N on guitar, I just wonder how it all worked out while filming?”

“We actually wrote the song for the trailer, along with Charlie. The three of us brainstormed the thing for the first few weeks of filming, just like Charlie and I did with Perfect Harmony last season.” Madi explained. “And you know, we all come from very different musical backgrounds, and it allowed for this amazing mixture of pop and rock and grunge that just works. You only hear a snippet of our song, but just wait until you hear the full thing.” She was beaming, and Y/N couldn’t help but smile and nod along.

“The day we recorded it, man, we were all just electric. There’s this section with the guitars…” Y/N paused. “That I won’t spoil… You can tell this is my first press junket, right?” She laughed, earning chuckles from the studio. No-one blamed her for being new, she was learning quickly enough that it wasn’t a problem.

“So, on the topic of Charlie, who is waving at us right now from behind the camera,” The reporter paused as the girls laughed and waved past the camera recording them all at their co-star. “I have to ask about Julie and Luke, and now this new dimension of Grace.” The girls nodded, a question they both had expected and prepared for. “Madi, are we getting a Juke kiss this season?”

“I really can’t spoil it. It’s not fair… But their relationship does take a few turns, it’s a really interesting subplot.” She said with ease, a rehearsed line.

“And what about Grace? What are her feelings around Juke? Jealousy, perhaps?” The reporter questioned, and Y/N glanced over his shoulder to Kenny, who nodded for her to go ahead.

“Oh, she’s definitely jealous, though it might not be the reason you initially think of.” She said with a smile, quite proud of herself for keeping the answer vague enough, a light switching on on the camera to alert of their time finishing. Y/N smiled, getting herself ready to stand up, glad she had ended the interview on a good answer, when the reporter held up a hand for her and Madi to pause.

“And I mean, that chemistry seems to be translating off-screen too, no?” The reporter pressed on forward with his questions. “I mean, the chemistry you and Charlie have off-screen, Madison, is pretty clear. Is there jealousy off screen from you Y/N?” He asked, the questions turning from family-friendly to gossipy rather quickly. The executive producers stood behind the reporter had lost their smiles, Ortega and Becker ready to march forward and end the interview themselves.

But then, Y/N burst into uncontrollable laughter as a response, Madi quickly joining in one the sole base that Y/N was a rather infectious person. Soon, the whole cast was laughing along, the reporter left in the dark as the camera shut off and the girls left the press set stage in giggles, the crew suddenly moving quickly to start packing up for the night, the reporter being led off by assistants as the girls made their way over to their waiting friends and castmates.

The interview had been Y/N’s first and the team��s last of the day, and with the next day being their final shoot day for the season, the younger cast members had decided to celebrate and go out to dinner together, a pre-celebration to the wrap party the next day.

Stood by the studio’s exit was the rest of the dinner party: Jadah, Savannah, Owen, Tori, Sacha, Jeremy, Booboo, Tori, Kyra, Sofia, Halle, and Charlie, the last of whom swung his arm over Y/N’s shoulder as she and Madi joined the group, starting out for a restaurant on the far side of the lot.

“Not bad for a rookie, sweetheart.” Charlie spoke with a teasing tone, earning an elbow to the ribs from his friend. The pair had been inseparable for the whole year, since Y/N got the role in fact, and his arm across her shoulders was such a familiar and comforting feeling, that she found herself cuddling into him as they got out onto the lot and the Vancouver wind chill hit hard. Without pause, Charlie shrugged off his jacket and sat it over Y/N’s shoulders, the pair sharing a smile.

“You know, you should invest in shirts with sleeves, Gillespie.” She muttered, rolling her eyes as he responded with a smirk, flexing his biceps as his arm settled back over her, this time Y/N’s hand coming up and their fingers interlocking as they followed the group towards the restaurant. Madi and Savannah were up front with the other Dirty Candy girls, all singing one of the new songs from the show as they skipped their way across the lot, while Jadah, Sacha, Owen, Booboo and Jeremy were in the middle of the group, seemingly discussing what they were getting for dinner, confirmed when Owen started to rave about one of the desserts the restaurant had rather loudly.

Y/N watched the scene with a smile, watched all her friends with a smile. She knew she was lucky, she reminded herself of it every day she spent with the group of amazing people she had come to call her family. The move to Vancouver for filming was a huge shift, and she had initially thought she’d be alone and homesick, spending all her free time at her rented flat reading out scripts to her walls, but it hadn’t been the case. The cast had adopted her like she had been there since day one, they made her feel welcome and at home in the foreign city, Charlie especially. He was the one who got her out of her shell, who made sure to invite her to every dinner and party and hangout in the first few weeks of filming. He was the one who played guitar with her, who came and stayed with her for a week when she was unwell and stuck inside her little flat.

He was the one who was watching her at that moment in time, a dopey smile on his face as he pulled her closer into his side, pressing a kiss to the side of her head as they followed their friends round a corner, their destination that night coming into view, along with some extra familiar faces.

“Gotta be careful, Y/N, Charlie has a habit of passing on his fleas.” The teasing came from Charlie’s sister Meg, who slipped through the small crowd to hug her brother and his best friend hello.

“Don’t worry, I’ve been getting him treated.” Y/N responded with a grin, the pair sharing a tight hug before Meg moved on to squeeze her brother in hello, both girls smiling at his surprised expression.

“I didn’t know you were coming over.” He guffawed, his smile radiating as he hugged Meg tightly, Y/N moving off to greet Carolynn, Jeremy’s wife, who had also surprised with her appearance. By the look of pride on Owen’s face, it was pretty clear who had planned the gift for his friends. Y/N held out a fist to Owen, who quickly pounded his own against it before the girl continued walking, making her way to Savannah’s side as they found their table in the restaurant far corner, the pair getting themselves sat down. With the two playing cousins on the show, they had both made an effort to get closer, an effort Y/N had made with the whole cast, though her and Savannah got on like a house on fire: they were the same age, and had assumed the roles of big sisters to the younger cast members like Madison and Jadah.

“Charlie’s jacket looks good on you.” Savannah commented with a wink, and Y/N rolled her eyes, shrugging the item off just as Charlie and Meg entered the restaurant with Jeremy, Carolynn and Owen.

“You need to stop; you know Kenny has started commenting on what a good couple we’d make thanks to you?” Y/N questioned, and Savannah nodded with a proud smile. “I suppose you actively put the idea in his head?” She quizzed further, receiving another nod.

“We’re all just waiting for you to get together at this point.” Savannah said with a shrug, a few sets of eyes looking over.

“What, Y/N and Charlie?” Sacha asked from across the table. “Oh, yeah, definitely.”

“Every three months we start a pool and bet on specific dates for you two finally giving in and dating.” Booboo said through a mouthful of bread. “Whoever gets closest is going to be so, so rich.”

“How many people are in on this?” Y/N asked, wide eyed with raised eyebrows. It was new information, at least to her it was, but the rest of the table had heard it all before.

“Sixty three.” Tori answered, sending over a wink as the table burst into laughter, quickly shutting up as the final members of their party started sitting themselves down, Charlie sliding himself along the booth chair to sit beside Y/N, Meg on his other side.

“What’s the joke?” He asked with a cocked brow, and Y/N shook her head, warning him to not venture any further. “Better not to ask, got it.”

“So, we’re thinking of karaoke later?” Kyra spoke up from the top of the table, earning nods from around the table. “Perfect, I’ll book the room.” She said quickly, typing away on her phone to set the group’s plans for the evening in stone.

“Maybe Y/N and Charlie can give us their ABBA medley.” Jadah suggested with a wiggle of her eyebrows, sat on the other side of Savannah. Y/N gave her the finger while Charlie chuckled, throwing an arm over her shoulder.

“Come on, it wouldn’t hurt you, would it Y/N?” Charlie asked, using his best puppy dog eyes on the girl, who reached to grab a slice of bread before Booboo finished it all, chewing it thoughtfully.

“Only if Sacha is our Dancing Queen.” Y/N said with a happy sigh, the blonde boy across the table nodding quickly.

“Happy to do it. Yes. Yes.” He nodded fast, feigning a bow as the table cheered, Charlie looking over at Y/N with a soft smile. She smiled back before resting her head on his shoulder, a part of her still recuperating from the interview. How these guys had done multiple that day, how Madi had sat through almost every single one, Y/N couldn’t figure it out; but the thoughts faded away as menus were brought over and drinks ordered, setting the evening off on the right foot.

By the time food was placed down, the topic of conversation was focused on Carolynn and Jeremy’s dogs, the pair quite happy to show off photos of their fur babies as castmates ate around them, with brief interruptions to talk about the upcoming wrap party the day after, and discussions of the season two premiere plans the following month. With the filming almost finished up, everyone was making plans to head back home to families as they all awaited the news of renewal for a third season. Apartments in Vancouver were being packed up, Y/N herself had started the process of boxing up the life she had made over the past year in the city, with her friends, to ship back off home.

“You alright?” A whisper came into Y/N’s ear, pulling her from her zoned out state as she twirled spaghetti mindlessly round her fork, blinking a few times before looking over at Charlie, who watched her with concern in his eyes. She nodded a little, setting down her fork and taking a sip of her soft drink before shaking her head, lifting up Charlie’s beer and taking a swig, frowning at the taste but swallowing anyway.

“Just thinking about leaving is all.” She muttered back, shrugging a little before trying again on her pasta, eating a mouthful before continuing. “Just, what happens once we wrap for the season? What happens if the show doesn’t get renewed?” She asked quietly. “I don’t want to lose all you guys… I just got you.” She tried to make a joke of it, but the thought had been weighing on her mind for a while. Would they all stay friends? Keep in contact even though they would be spread over the globe?

“I can assure you, sweetheart, no-one will be losing contact with you. If any of these guys love you half as much as I do, they won’t be able to say goodbye to someone as awesome as you.” Charlie whispered in her ear, his hot breath fanning over her neck, and Y/N blushed a little, taking his free hand in hers and giving it a quick squeeze to say thank you.

“How’s it all going, everyone?” The server broke apart the moment and halted the rest of the table’s conversations, Y/N and Charlie quickly dropping their hands and turning back to their own meals as the rest of the table chorused compliments of the food, Booboo and Jadah insistent that dessert menus be brought along as soon as possible. A quick glance around the table revealed that Y/N was extremely far behind the rest of the table in finishing her meal, but her appetite had suddenly disappeared, most likely from the melancholy.

“Could I get a triple vodka coke?” Y/N asked the waiter before he left, smiling up at him as she closed her cutlery.

“Of course, miss. Anymore drinks?” He asked, jotting down a cocktail for Halle and another small glass of wine for Jeremy, disappearing back into the main body of the restaurant as the last few party members finished their meals, drinks arriving with dessert menus.

“A toast.” Jeremy raised his glass, prompting the rest of the table to follow suit. “To Julie and the Phantoms, to found family… And to another season.” He thought over the words as he spoke, Carolynn watching him with adoring eyes, their hands linked atop the table. The toast was met with cheers, Owen letting out a rather loud ‘Whoop!’ as glasses were clinked and drinks were sipped, the night only just beginning.

--

Kenny Ortega was rather glad he had left Y/N and Charlie’s big confrontation scene for their last day of shooting, and after walking into work the following day and finding, quite literally, everyone glued to their phone screens, he decided to check his own Instagram.

The night before had been a success for the young cast, and after dinner the group had travelled into the centre of town for a night of drinks and karaoke, the evening’s highlight being the video that was circulating that morning, of Charlie and Y/N sharing a mic as they sang ‘Waterloo’ by ABBA: Owen had caught the whole thing and put it on his story.

That video was also followed by a photo of Y/N and Charlie sleeping on the couch together at Owen and Charlie’s place later that night.

There was a level of professionalism that had to be maintained in a workplace for productivity, but the ‘something more’ friendship the two guitarists shared had caught the attention of the whole team. It had started betting pools and conspiracies and a game amongst the team to catch pictures of the pair acting like a couple. The kids had started it, of course, but seeing the way the two interacted both on and off-screen had gotten the rest of the crew involved. There was an undeniable connection there, and the waiting game was part of the fun.

And so, as the cast started to arrive for the 12 pm call time on location at the garage, all the reshoots that day needing midday sunshine, no-one was surprised to see Charlie carrying Y/N into work on his back as the pair shared a joke. In fact, they were quite excited to see how they would react to the final scene they had to shoot.

Kenny had given them both the script the week before, but refrained from discussing it with the pair until that day, partially pressured by the likes of Savannah and Owen, simply because an authentic kiss, without the practice or specific instruction from the director, would make for better tv. The plan was to get some close ups, positioning them for certain moments, then run it through once, getting as many extra shots as possible, with the hope being they could do it in one take. At best, it would work, and at worst, both Charlie and Y/N were still actors, and could make a kiss look real.

It took about an hour or so for the cast to get through the makeup, hair and costume departments, and Kenny pulled in Jeremy, Owen and Madi for some reshoots first, leaving Y/N wandering with a bottle of water in one hand and her script in the other, pacing back and forth as she ran the lines over and over again in her head.

The scene was an important one, the start of Juke’s conflict for the season, of Grace’s and Julie’s friendship being tested. From what else the girls had filmed over the past few months, it was clear that the season would leave their friendship on a cliff-hanger, this scene being the catalyst. And it was funny for Y/N, to go from her friendship with Charlie to being Grace, the girl that hated Luke. It took her a little while to get into the right headspace, though it wasn’t easy with all eyes on her, nor with the teasing she was receiving from friends about the night before, and her crashing at Charlie’s. It wasn’t news, Y/N sleeping over at Charlie’s, or vice versa; it was common place actually, after the first few months of friendship it just became a norm for them.

Grace’s character arc was one of reckless abandon, and she almost becomes a bad influence on Luke’s bandmates with her risky ideas and rebellious attitude. They had shot the previous scene, in which Julie falls down the school bleachers while with Grace and twists her ankle badly, the character very lucky it wasn’t worse. And Luke, already disliking Grace, confronts her when the girl comes looking to apologise. The tension that they had built over the season boils over, and Grace kisses Luke, the first time either of them have touched before.

Y/N was a little nervous about that last part.

She was an actress, but it would be her first on-screen kiss, and while the thought of it being with her best friend should have eased her mind, it did anything but. Kissing Charlie, whether she wanted to admit it or not, was probably going to be awkward, cause a rift between the two for at least a little while. And that would have been fine, if they weren’t all heading off home to separate corners of the world for however long.

“You look worried.” It was Owen’s voice that pulled her from her thoughts, the girl turning to find him leaning against the prop table nearby, arms folded and a look of concern on his face. “You alright?” He asked, glancing back over at the set. Jeremy and Madison were still getting some reshoots done, and Charlie was with Savannah and Booboo over in costumes, chatting away as the seamstress sat his clothes just right.

“I don’t really know…” Y/N admitted, looking back at Owen with a shrug. “I mean, I just…” She paused, letting out a sigh. “I’m worried things might be weird? Worried I might suck at the whole kissing thing, ruin the last scene we have to shoot?” She explained, glancing back down at her script as Owen watched on, thoughtful.

“Y/N, you’re a good actress. If the last year has proved anything, it’s that you are meant for this role. You’ve just gotta… You’ve gotta embody Grace, don’t think of it as you and Charlie anymore, because I know that’s what you’ve been doing for the past week. It’s Luke and Grace, yeah?” Owen stopped to make sure Y/N was following, and she nodded. “We need to get you into that headset before we start, alright? You know how to be Grace; you need to get into her before the cameras start rolling. I mean, you’re already dressed like her.” Owen gestured to the clothes she was in, and Y/N smiled.

She did already feel a bit like Grace in the outfit, style choices she had helped to make at the start of the season. To contrast from Carrie, she offset her cousin’s pink and preppy wardrobe with dark colours: Y/N was currently in black jumper with red detailing, paired with a short, tight black denim skirt and a belt that pulled in her waist, plus the fishnet tights and sturdy doc martens her character would soon be known for. Those shoes were the only pair she had worn all season. The makeup and hair team had left her looking flawless, with her hair curling and her eyeliner in a perfect wing.

The more she thought about Owen’s words, the less anxiety she felt.

The more she felt like Grace.

“Ok, ok… We’re getting somewhere.” She informed her friend, Owen holding out an arm for Y/N to link with, the pair beginning a sure march over towards the set, watching Madi finish the last few takes.

“You need anything else?” Owen asked, raising an eyebrow to the shorter girl when she nodded, watching her take a deep breath.

“Put on some music? Just… Something fun?” Y/N asked, having faith that music would completely rid her of her nerves for the scene. Kenny called cut, Madi and Jeremy making their way off set with smiles as they headed towards Owen and Y/N, the blonde boy connecting his phone to the nearby Bluetooth speaker while the set was changed for her and Charlie’s scene.

“I can’t believe this is the end of season two… Y/N? You ok?” Jeremy commented then questioned as he came over with Madison, the latter reaching a comforting out to Y/N’s arm.

“She’s getting in the zone.” Owen explained, finally deciding on a song, the music playing around them and earning a few cheers from the other cast mates, Charlie looking over from where he stood with Savannah and Booboo, his eyes landing on Y/N, who had begun swaying along with the song. She had a habit of this, using music to get into character, though it was usually through headphones in some far off corner.

“Loving you isn’t the right thing to do.” The speaker sang out the Fleetwood Mac hit, Booboo and Savannah beginning to dance along by Charlie as he watched Y/N from across the room, curious as to what she might do. “How can I ever change things that I feel?” Lindsey Buckingham’s voice resonated around the room, and Charlie took a step closer to his main castmates, watching as Madi held Y/N’s hand, quickly realising why the music was blaring.

Y/N was nervous.

“If I could, baby I’d give you my world.” The tracks vocals were overshadowed as Charlie began to sing, heads spinning to look at him as he spun himself around and started his way towards Y/N. “How can I, when you won’t take it from me?” He sang, holding out a hand for her to join him. They were both well aware that two things in particular made Y/N feel better: the first was music, the second was Charlie. With a push from Madi and Owen, Y/N could no longer hide the smile that was forming on her face, taking Charlie’s hand as he led her into a space in the room’s centre. While the crew set up for their scene, cast and producers watched on as the pair got into character.

“You can go your own way!” Y/N sang out, spinning under Charlie’s arm with a grin that scrunched up her nose and made Charlie smile right back, singing the response harmony of the chorus. “You can call it another lonely day!” The pair sang together, Kenny himself starting a clap in time with the music, the whole set soon joining in, cheering the pair on as they got themselves into character.

“Tell me why, everything turned around. Packing up, shacking up is all you wanna do.” Charlie sang scowling at Y/N with his rather adorable grumpy face, and Y/N held a hand out to stop him from coming any closer, playing the part of Grace.

“If I could, baby I’d give you my world. Open up, everything’s waiting for you.” She sang, bouncing a little as she sang, shaking away the last of her nerves as the second chorus came in, the whole room singing along now.

“You can go your own way, go your own way. You call it another lonely day!” As the crew finished setting up the garage for their scene, Charlie grabbed Y/N’s hand as squeezed it tightly.

“We’ve got this, alright?” He reassured, and she nodded, the pair getting into places as the music slowly died down and their fellow castmates and crew members cheered.

“Feeling better?” Kenny asked as the two got into positions, Charlie sat inside the garage as Y/N stood just beyond the doors, being handed a bouquet of flowers by the props manager.

“A lot, yeah.” She smiled, and Kenny gave her shoulder a pat.

“Just go for it, alright? Give it everything, give it electricity, you’ve got this.” His motivational words brought a smirk to Y/N’s face.

“I know I do.” She answered with a nod, Kenny walking back to behind the cameras and taking a seat, Y/N taking a one more moment to focus herself before Kenny yelled ‘action!’.

--

Grace wasn’t used to feeling guilty about anything, it just wasn’t a part of the life she enjoyed: she wasn’t an inherently bad person, though it could be argued she was a bad influence. As she stood in Julie’s driveway, a bouquet of flowers in hand, she felt like a bad influence. No, worse than that.

She felt like a bad friend.

Julie wouldn’t be in this mess if Grace hadn’t convinced her to go out with her the night before. Of course, she should have known that this time of year, with the uncommon rainfall and milder weather, that the bleachers would have been slippery. Grace should have suggested going somewhere else, shouldn’t have rushed up the steps and forced Julie to follow.

And while flowers weren’t going to help a lot with the twisted ankle, she hoped they’d lift Julie’s spirits a little. The doctors said it wasn’t serious, just a week or so in a pressure sock to stop anymore damage, and Julie had promised her the day before she was fine, but even so. Grace had picked out dahlias, Julie’s favourite, and was hoping to bump into Alex or Reggie or Carlos, leave them with her apology for Julie without much confrontation.

Instead, heading up the driveway and pulling open the garage door, she was welcomed by the sound of an acoustic guitar, and a frown settled on her features. Of course, of all the people it could have been, Luke was the one at home.

“What are you doing here?” He asked quickly, jumping up from the couch and setting down his guitar. Grace sighed, a roll of her eyes causing Luke to scoff.

“You know, I’d punch you if I could ghost boy.” She muttered, setting the flowers down on the coffee table. “I just wanted to leave something for Julie, alright? Don’t get your…” She paused, thinking for a moment. “Do you have underwear? I mean, ghost clothing isn’t exactly my specialty.”

“You’ve got some nerve showing up here after what you did to Julie.” Luke said coldly, arms folded across his chest as they stood at opposite sides of the room. He took a few steps to the side, lifting himself up onto the piano. Luke liked to have the high ground.

“What I did to her? Luke, she fell over. It was an accident!” She exclaimed in response, already riled up just being in the boy’s presence. She wasn’t quite sure why she had been cursed with the ability of being able to see Luke at all times, but she wasn’t going to let her annoyance with the guitarist go unsaid.

“An accident that could’ve killed her!” Luke snapped back. “What if she had hit her head instead of just twisting her ankle? Can you answer me that Miss Influencer?” He asked, and for the first time since the pair had met, Grace didn’t answer him back. Luke scoffed; quite certain he had won. “I don’t know what voodoo you put my friends under to make them like you, but I promise I see right through you. Through the clothes and the Instagram followers. All of it.”

“Do you think I wasn’t scared for her? Huh, Luke?” Grace snapped back. “I was the one there, watching her fall down the bleachers, the one who rushed after her and called her dad. Where were you, exactly?” She asked, a smirk settling on her lips. “You know, Lover Boy, if I remember correctly, you were off moping because I’m a better guitarist.” Her tongue came out to graze her bottom lip as she smiled, walking over to Luke’s electric that sat on a nearby stand.

“First off, you aren’t. It’s quite clear who’s better between the two of us.” Luke fought back, jumping off the table and marching over to pick up his guitar before Grace touched it. “And second, I wouldn’t have left her if you hadn’t been there. Because actually, Grace, it’s you that’s the problem!” He had raised his voice as he walked back across the room, setting his guitar atop the piano. Grace scoffed; he just didn’t want her touching his things.

“Right, because Julie can’t have friends if it’s not you, right?!” She was almost yelling now as well, but it was to be expected of the pair. Every conversation they had had was building to this argument. Every conversation they had shared was just bickering. “Hey Mr Invisible Man, news flash! Your crush is allowed to have relationships outside of you! I realise being dead is probably very boring, but Julie’s alive.”

“I just don’t think my friends should be associating with someone as infuriating as you, Grace!” Luke turned to face her again, all wide eyes and gestures. “I didn’t think I could hate people before I met you! I’ve had my music stolen; I’ve almost been enslaved for eternity; I died! And yet, the person I despise most in this world is you. Congratulations!”

“I take it as a compliment! You know, I’m honestly proud that I’m not friends with a self-centred, arrogant, inconsiderate, overbearing jerk. If anyone is fooling our friends Luke, it’s you.” The words were quick and cold, and Luke found himself marching forward until the pair stood about a foot apart, Grace forced to to look up at him, keeping big her chin high.The words were quick and cold, and Luke moved a few steps closer, and Luke moved a few steps closer, the pair a few feet apart, glaring one another down.

“They aren’t our friends, Grace. My friends are just too nice to leave you hanging.” Luke voice had lowered in volume, but the venom was still there as he took a step closer, then another. “You act all mysterious, but you’re an open book, Grace. You’re a lonely girl with a taste of relevance. That’s it.”

“Like you aren’t the same?” Grace asked, stepping forward so the pair were no more than a foot apart. “Quit pretending you aren’t still the lonely kid who ran away from home in 1995, give up the high and mighty act.” She paused, looking him over with a smirk. For a moment, she forgot he was just air.

“I know who I am.”

“Do you?” Grace asked. “That’s not what I see.”

“You don’t know anything about me.” Luke countered.

“And vice versa, ghost boy.”

“I know you’re manipulative, and cold. I know you’re insufferable to be around.” Luke stated firmly, his voice low and laced with malice.

“Anything else to share?” Grace asked. “Or are you done?”

“This is exactly what I mean.”

“You don’t know me!” Grace answered back. “You don’t know why I’m here or where I came from, or what I came from. You don’t get to tell me who I am or what I do or how I act when you have made zero attempts to check your information. I know you because I ask about you! I can call you an arrogant, self-serving halfwit because I actually have tried to figure out why you hate me so much!” She paused for a second, Luke watching in surprise. He didn’t quite feel bad for Grace, but something was building in him, something foreign he had buried away. “If you knew anything about me, you would know what I’m about to do next.”

“What? Leave?” He guessed, his tone still harsh and hostile, but his answer was incorrect. It was quick, something Luke couldn’t process fast enough; but within a second of his reply being given, Grace had somehow managed to touch him, holding her hands to his neck and pulling him down to her level before pressing her lips against his.

—

Y/N and Charlie both had plenty of experience kissing people, but neither of them had felt like that before.

The moment Y/N’s lips were pressed to Charlie’s, it felt like a thousand butterflies had exploded to life in her stomach, the feeling of his lips on hers making her lightheaded. Charlie’s hands immediately came to Y/N’s waist, pulling her so their bodies were flush and her fingers found their way into the curls at the back of his head.

There was a moment there, as the pair held one another, as they kissed one another, that the rest of the world melted away. One of Charlie’s hands moving from Y/N’s waist to her cheek set the skin on fire, had her heart pounding like it was trying to break out of her chest, had her knees going weak that the only way to stay upright was to pull back, to rejoin reality.

It was only as she looked up at Charlie, still dress like Luke, her peripherals reminding her where she actually was, that a shaky breath left Y/N’s body, and she took a step back. Out of Charlie’s embrace, towards the garage doors she had entered the scene through.

“Make sure Julie gets the flowers… I…” She spoke as Grace, shaking her head in disbelief before exiting out of the garage, leaving Luke, or Charlie, dumbfounded. She couldn’t tell anymore if it was real or acting, the lines had blurred a fair amount.

“And that’s a wrap!” Kenny yelled from behind the cameras, the deafening sound of the cast and crew cheering forcing Y/N to slow her pace, to quickly get accustomed to the noise before joining in. A rather large part of her head was telling her to run and hide, to disappear and never return, to book it for the airport and save herself the embarrassment of her flushed cheeks, of seeing Charlie after what she just felt with his lips on hers.

Her eyes eventually travelled up to see Charlie coming off the set with Kenny in one side of him and Jeremy on the other, Madi and Owen walking over to meet them, the latter waving her over quickly with a grin.

“That was amazing to watch!” Kenny was raving when Y/N arrived over, hands clasped behind her back as the director turned his attention to her. “What did I ask for? Y/N, you nailed it! You both did! The whole place was just electric.” He complimented, Charlie letting out a breezy chuckle as he raised a hand to rub the back of his neck.

“What can I say? You hired some great actors, Kenny.” Charlie felt off saying the words, glancing over at Y/N as he said them, the pair sharing a weak smile. What Charlie had felt while the cameras rolled was definitely not something he faked for the screen. His stomach was still in knots, trying to untangle itself after the way Y/N had kissed him left him speechless.

What exactly was he supposed to do? That information had the ability to ruin the friendship he and Y/N had, he couldn’t risk losing her so permanently. He knew Y/N, if they talked about how he felt kissing her and didn’t feel the same way, Y/N would distance herself from any and all contact, and with them all heading home by the week’s end, it was the last thing Charlie wanted to happen.

“That I did.” Kenny agreed, glancing at his watch. “Right, I’ll let you all go and get out of costume. Wrap Party begins in an hour.” He said with a nod, patting Y/N lightly on the shoulder as he left.

There was a moment of silence between the five of them, an uncommon occurrence, no-one quite sure who should speak first. Instead of speaking, Y/N gave Madi’s arm a squeeze before heading off to the costume department to get out of Grace’s head. Maybe the thoughts of Charlie would clear up once she was back in her own clothes, her own headspace.

The four friends watched her walk off, waiting until she had rounded a corner before Charlie received three pairs of hands punching his arms playfully and shaking him, all their of his on-screen band mates barely able to contain their excitement.

“What, what?” Charlie asked, taking a step back to avoid further battery.

“What?!” Madi exclaimed. “That kiss! Charlie, we all know that wasn’t acting.”

“I’m pretty sure everyone in Vancouver could tell that wasn’t acting.” Jeremy added with a grin, nudging his friend who was slowly getting some colour in his cheeks.

“You guys are all insane.” He said quickly, starting his way over towards makeup, but his friends were hot on his tail, none of them letting this budge. Not again: Charlie and Y/N had gotten away with their flirty behaviour plenty of times before, but this was different.

“You should at least talk to her about it.” Owen said with a grin, hands stuffed in his pockets as they entered the trailer and Charlie sat down, helping himself to makeup wipes and removing the thin layer of foundation on his face. “Charlie, come on… I know that your eyes were closed, but we watched you two kiss. If you’re feeling something, Y/N is feeling it too. There’s no way you both faked that.”

“I’m not ruining my friendship with Y/N over a stage kiss.” Charlie said quickly, pulling off his shirt and switching for his own clothes, looking up as the door opened and Sacha came in with Savannah and Tori, the seven all sharing glances.

“Convinced him to go for it yet?” Tori asked after a moment, and Charlie rolled his eyes, jumping out the chair and walking past his friends. “Oh, come on Charlie! It’s clear you both like each other!”

“Tori’s right!” Madi agreed, first in following Luke out onto the trailer lot. “Why are you so hesitant?” She asked, and Charlie came to a quick stop, spinning on his heel to look at his friends.

“I’m going to go see Y/N. Not because of whatever fantasies you all have in your heads, but because I want to make sure my friend is alright.” Charlie explained, though his words didn’t seem to convince any of them. That was fair, he didn’t convince him. “I’ll see you all at the wrap party, ok?” He clarified, but before he got an answer he made his way into the maze of trailers, taking the precise turns needed to get to Y/N’s trailer.

As he turned onto her row, Charlie found himself slowing to a stop about two trailers away, and taking a nervous gulp. Why, why had it taken so long for him to figure out his feelings? Why was it only once they had kissed that he felt all this emotion surging to the surface? For a moment he wondered if it was just his body reacting to kissing a pretty girl, but he knew that wasn’t the truth. Not in the slightest.

The truth was Charlie wanted nothing more than to feel that ecstasy that came with Y/N’s lips on his all the time, and he quickly formed a do or die plan in his head as his feet started back up, bringing him to the steps up to Grace’s trailer. Her name was pasted with gold sticker on the white door, the tension quickly building in Charlie’s chest.

Do or die.

The polite triple tap on the door hurried Y/N’s getting ready, the girl quickly zipping up her dress before slipping on her shoes for the night and answering the trailer door, the butterflies exploding in her stomach as she found Charlie stood in front of her door.

“Got a second? I was hoping we could talk…” Charlie said quickly, hands shoved in his pockets, a nervous smile on his face that had Y/N thinking the worst. This was about the kiss, it was about how awkward he felt about it, no doubt. She knew her anxiety before it was right, she knew that this would ruin things.

“Of course, come on in.” She said with a little smile moving back onto the trailer and allowing Charlie to make his way inside. As Y/N turned to pick up her phone off the table and place it into her handbag for the party that night, Charlie closed the door behind him with a nervous breath. He watched her for a few moments, smiling at her absentminded humming of the song they had sang together while she packed her things away for the party tonight. He took a step closer, running a hand through his hair and straightening his top up, psyching himself up for what he was about to do. She had changed for the party, and Charlie couldn’t help but admire how beautiful she looked in the baby blue sundress. “So,” Y/N asked as she started to turn around. “What is it you want to tal-”

Y/N was cut off when Charlie gripped her by the waist and crashed his lips against hers, not that she minded in the slightest. She was quick to kiss back, her hands coming to his neck as his hands pulled her closer until their bodies were flush. Whatever worry Y/N had been having about what their characters’ kiss would do to her and Charlie’s relationship was evaporated by the heat, the passion, the electricity of his lips on hers.

Charlie was hit with relief when Y/N kissed him back, when she pulled him closer, just thankful that she might have felt exactly what he did on set. He was about to pull away, apologise for what he was doing, for intruding and not letting her ask her question, but as he pulled back to take a breath, Y/N caught his bottom lip between her teeth for a moment, and Charlie was gone.

He pulled her close again, this time his tongue entering her mouth and starting a battle for dominance against Y/N. His hands travelled towards her ass, only gaining control of the kiss when he surprised Y/N by picking her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist as her dress rode up her thighs, hands moving from his neck to grip the front of his shirt, breaking off the kiss for a moment.

They looked at one another, breathing heavy and pressed to one another, both just trying to comprehend what they had done. Y/N was the first to catch her breath, looking up at Charlie with a blush across her cheeks and blown pupils.

“No-one’s ever kissed me like that…” She whispered out, smiling as a smirk played on Charlie’s lips.

“Same.” He responded, walking over and setting her down on the trailer’s kitchenette counter, a hand coming to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “We’re… We’re idiots, right? For not realising it before?” He asked, and Y/N laughed.

“The amount of time we’ve wasted…” She muttered before pulling him for another kiss.

It quickly became heated again, neither of them quite able to control themselves. It was tongues and teeth and moans, and it wasn’t long before Charlie was leaving a hickey on Y/N’s neck and she was pulling off his shirt, quickly reminded of her friend’s body… God, he was hot.

“How long until the wrap party?” Y/N asked through a moan as Charlie pulled away from her collarbones, marks scattered over the skin Y/N would struggle to hide. He pulled his phone from his pocket, checking the time before setting it on the counter beside her.

“About 10 minutes…” Charlie answered, raising an eyebrow when Y/N bit her lip. “What did you have in mind?” He asked, stepping closer, his hands running up the sides of her thighs as he did, pushing her dress up further until he could catch a glimpse of the pastel pink panties she had chosen to wear that day, causing him to groan a little. He could feel his blood rushing down, his jeans becoming tighter around the groin.

“Well, I mean… We’re two consenting adults…” She trailed off for a second, her hands starting on his belt buckle in an uncharacteristically bold move. Charlie’s head fell back as her hand brushed against his bulge, breathing getting heavier once more. “And I’m on the pill…” She added, pushing Charlie’s jeans down slightly, then his boxers, her hand circling his shaft and beginning to stroke it slowly. She was teasing him, waiting for a response, an innocent look on her face that drove Charlie wild. He quickly pulled her panties off, tossing them to the floor and bringing a hand back to her core.

“So wet… And all just for me.” Charlie smirked as Y/N’s expression changed from feigning innocent to one of pleasure: a whimpering moan passing her lips as her eyes fluttered shut, a reaction to Charlie’s thumb circling her clit. “You know, all you had to do was ask.” He whispered in her ear, more of a growl than anything, quickly lining his cock to her entrance and pushing himself inside.

They shared in a moan, Y/N adjusting to the size of his length inside her for a moment, her walls clenched tight around him. They stayed like that for a moment, both adjusting to the feelings, before Charlie’s thumb started up its lazy circles around Y/N’s clit once more. She gave a nod, and Charlie pulled back, this time sinking himself all the way inside her.

They started slow; Charlie enjoying the view of Y/N whimpering in pleasure as she held onto him, begging for him to go faster. He didn’t comply right away, teasing her further with his length, but when she managed to utter out a ‘please’, the bucking of his hips quickened, Y/N’s whole body soon dissolving in the pleasure.

Neither of them had any experience with heaven, but if it was even half as good as the sex they shared, the afterlife would be amazing. Their bodies just worked together, like they were made for one another, each thrust and moan sending pleasure shooting through their bodies. Charlie set the pace, making sure to watch Y/N’s reactions when he changed angle, quickly finding the thrusts that gave her the most pleasure through lidded eyes, and Y/N would tease him further, her walls hugging his cock just enough to have him slipping out curses mixed with her name. It didn’t take very long for Y/N’s legs to begin trembling, Charlie’s hands spreading her thighs further apart as the knots began forming in her stomach, one of his hands moving to hold the small of her back while the other returned to his spot over her sensitive bud.

“Charlie… Charlie I’m close.” Y/N managed to say through breathy moans as the knots in her abdomen got progressively tighter, Charlie moving slightly to find a better angle, beginning to pound mercilessly into her cunt, a smirk on his lips. Her mouth formed into an ‘o’, her eyes rolling back behind hooded lids dusted with eyeshadow for the party that night, the one they were meant to be arriving at 5 minutes earlier.

“Come for me, sweetheart.” He muttered, pressing his lips down on her collarbone as Y/N came undone at his words, the spasms of pleasure bringing forward Charlie’s own release, the smirk quickly fading as he felt his own climax approaching. “Fuck… Y/n, fuck…” Charlie muttered, his thrusts quickly becoming sloppy as he edged on Y/N’s climax, letting out a moan as he shot his load, his head rolling back and his muscles flexing as he filled Y/N, prompting an aftershock to run through the girl, eliciting whimpers from her shuddering frame.

Charlie soon stilled, both of them panting as they came down from their highs, Charlie’s hands on Y/N’s back the only thing keeping her vertical. He leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her forehead gently before pulling out, letting out a hiss from the over-sensitivity as Y/N giggled through a whine.

“Jesus…” She muttered, taking a moment before slipping off the counter, lifting her panties from the floor as Charlie tucked himself back into his jeans and grabbed his t-shirt, the clothing item having landed on the back of the nearby couch. “I’m… I’m gonna clean up.” She informed him, unable to stop smiling as she disappeared into the bathroom, leaving Charlie to smile to himself and fall back on the couch with a beaming grin.

How had any of that actually happened?

He sat back up when Y/N came out of the bathroom, her hair fixed and her dress straightened again, though the blush on her cheeks and nose still remained. Charlie smiled and pulled himself off the couch, walking over to her and quickly pressing his lips to hers. She kissed back, the action shared between them soft and sweet this time around, though it still caused butterflies to erupt in both of their stomachs.

“I was thinking… I know you’ll need to go back home and visit family, obviously… But maybe you could spend a few weeks at my place in LA?” Charlie suggested his thumb rubbing against Y/N’s cheek as they held eye contact. “Meet my parents, maybe?” He added with a nervous chuckle. They had planned for her to meet his mom and dad at some point, and him hers, more for the fact they wanted their parents to know their best friend, but that had obviously changed… Best friends don’t fuck half naked in a trailer on their filming lot.

“I would love that… But you have to come home with me afterwards.” Y/N said with a smile, letting out a sweet laugh as Charlie nodded vigorously, the pair locking lips once more.

That night, when Charlie and Y/N walked into the wrap party with their hands interlocked, there was a relief that sat in the air for the cast and crew. Finally, after a year of betting pools and theories and who only knew what else, it seemed the two had finally stopped being idiots and acted on their feelings. It was confirmed when during a slow song, Charlie pulled Y/N onto the dance floor, the pair sharing a kiss as the music played.

On the side lines, it was Meg, Charlie’s sister, of all people who stood collecting cash from crew members. She had got herself in on the betting pool last time she visited, and had guessed the exact date the pair would finally take their next step.

The question of Charlie and Y/N’s budding relationship should have been a ‘who would’ve thought?’, but, in reality, everyone knew. From Madi to Kenny to literally everyone on the entire planet…

Except for Charlie and Y/N.

--

Tags: @lord-of-the-fried @lolychu @deadashcapper5 @aliceinemeraldcity @eries45 @kristencoontz @walkingonshunshine @wxshing-aep @oswin05 @voguesir @delicatelukepatterson @reggieandthereggies @siennanoelle01 @dxsxstxrhxxd @reggiesleatherjacket @a-whole-a-lot-of-fandoms @thetattooink @futuremrsb-r-main @charliessunset @mlt2000 @overlyhypedup @fangirlanonimax @writerinlearning @dxlanhxlland @manaoioahilinai @cocobuttababy @rosiemay02​ @crookedoperatoroperagarden @theatricalfangirl​ @middaydramatic @mloudfish @mps427​ @sweetdayme4427 @anagc-09​ @feliamtion​ @ohyoureaqueenbutuncrowned​ @caitsymichelle13​ @amortiff​ @lovesanimals​ @crappy-unicorn​ @avs-hart​ @ghostlyb1tch​ @lukeys-giggle @aunicornmademedoit @carleywhittaker @crybabyddl​ @writella​ @isabellaskyliner​ @moonyxnights​ @dmcfarland1​ @kiss-themoongoodbye​ @kcd15​ @ellepscal​ @bookdealer5​ @leahstypewriter​

(i’m doing really badly at tagging everyone who asks, so i’ll be sorting out my taglist around halloween to make sure i can keep all of you up to date on my writing!)

#luke patterson #charlie gillespie #charlie gillespie smut #charlie gillespie x reader #luke patterson x reader #charlie gillespie x y/n #luke patterson x y/n #jatp luke #jatp #julie and the phantoms #smut #fluff #fluffy smut #charlie gillespie imagine

[mountswhore]

hey! see u were taking requests so i wanted one with mason related to "london boy" by taylor swift? maybe reader is a singer or something like that?

one of the best taylor swift songs imo, so of course!

𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐨𝐲 — mason mount

summary: mason shows you around london during your break, and now you don't think you can ever go back

notes: requests are open again! my asks are open.

Leaving your hometown in New York to visit the world was one of the hardest things you had to do. But you had your dream job, now it was time to follow it. Your recent album was a success, pouring your heart into it as you recovered from your breakup. Your fans had watched your relationship build, and then break apart. Hearing your side of things through 14 songs. Awards, interviews, and traction had come from it, earning you a world tour. It was a scary thing to do, considering it was your first international tour.

“I just want to come back to New York already, I’ve not been on this tour long.” You complained to your sister, curled up in a hotel bed in London. Your first destination was the UK, and there was nothing worse than being homesick.

“Quit being a baby, the UK is so nice.” Your sister replied, chuckling shortly afterwards. “Me and dad visited Manchester, I think? Very nice looking, at least where we stayed.” You sighed, knowing that didn’t make it any easier. You loved your cosy apartment in New York, you were even starting to miss the constant traffic sounds and arguing in the early hours of the morning.

“I guess, and I know London is nice, at least. I think I’m gonna interact with some fans,” you decided, pulling the duvet further up your body, “speak tomorrow at sound check.” You ended the call, liking some tweets and replying to a few things, eventually tweeting something of your own.

“Happy to see a lot of my UK fans tomorrow, can’t wait to scream my feelings out with you,” Declan read out, giving Mason a cheeky look. The pair of them were in Mason’s living room, enjoying their evening of FIFA. The boys had spoken about you plenty of times, in interviews too, Mason declaring you as his celebrity crush.

“Shut up already, she probably doesn’t even know who I am.” Mason stated, resting his arm over his eyes to conceal the blush on his face. Him, Declan and a few other boys were going to your concert tomorrow night, some of the WAGs suggested it as they loved your music.

“You think she’s not going to notice a blue tick in her dm’s? It’s worth a shot.” Declan encouraged his friend to shoot his shot, close to grabbing his phone and doing it himself, but instead he was watching Mason bashfully scroll through your twitter replies. “Do it, or I will.”

Mason sighed, clicking the reply button and typing out a reply, handing the phone to Declan to review. ‘Can’t wait, wanna see you.’

“Perfect,” Declan mumbled, pressing the reply button for him. He knew Mason never would, he just saved him 20 minutes of back and forth debate. Handing Mason his phone back, Declan smirked as he watched his friend's face change from fairly embarrassed, to shocked.

“There’s no fucking way you sent that.” Mason remarked, refreshing his phone to see his tweet attract likes. “You dick.”

Declan just laughed as Mason had turned completely red, watching the likes and replies collect under his tweet. Moments later, you’d appeared in his dm’s.

‘I recognise you.’

It was an ominous message from you, one that had you pacing and replaying the creepy message over and over again. But Mason smiled at the message, all ounces of worry leaving his body as he replied to you.

‘Oh yeah? From where?’

‘Actually, I think I recognise your teammate, Pulisic. He’s all my brother talks about sometimes. But all I know is that he plays for a soccer team.’

He laughed at your reply, Declan watching over in pure disbelief.

‘You have a lot to learn about the UK, and luckily I know all about it.’

‘I’ll hold you to that, come backstage after the show, bring whoever you’re with. I’m in London for the next few days before my next show, maybe you can show me around.’

“There’s no way you’re flirting with Y/N Y/L/N within two minutes of replying to her tweet.” Declan stated, Mason smirking at his best friend before sending another reply.

‘Bet.'

Your show was now over and you were anxiously waiting for the boys to be escorted back stage. You didn't know much about football, especially over here, but you knew the boys that were coming back stage were professionals. You'd learnt their names, Declan, Jack, and Mason. Jack and Declan brought their girlfriends along, but Mason was 'painfully single', as he put it.

Finally, as you sat down in your chair to relax, you heard a knock at the door. It was them. They had all filed in, the two girls in shock that they were meeting you. You'd given them all a hug, and gotten to Mason. He looked down at you as you pulled him in, squeezing you tightly before letting you go again.

"Did you guys enjoy it?" You asked, ushering them to the couch for them to sit down. You wanted them to feel as comfortable as possible, rushing over to your dressing room fridge and pulling out some drinks.

"It was amazing," Sasha gawked, still in awe over seeing you for the first time, "we saw you have one in Birmingham in a few weeks, so we're going to that one too." You blushed, returning to your seat opposite the couch.

"That's so sweet! I'm sure I can get you some good tickets, I'll dm you on Instagram or something." You suggested to her, Sasha eagerly nodding her head. You conversed with the group of five, Mason giving you a particular look that you had mirrored back to him. You planned on getting his number, and making sure he showed you around London.

Soon enough, the group was heading back to wherever they were staying, as it was beginning to get quite late. "Thank you guys for coming, and I'm so glad I met you."

Mason stayed behind, folding his arms and sharing a smirk with you as his friends voices trailed down the hallway. "So, about this bet."

"Yeah," you replied casually, grabbing your water bottle from the table and taking a sip, being in the presence of an attractive man again was giving you quite the nerves, "I'll take your number, because I'd love to get to know London." He nodded, grabbing his phone from his jacket pocket and handing it to you.

"Perfect. See you."

You and Mason had planned your first meeting in a pub. It wasn't the classiest of places, but your plan was to get to know the UK. Mason had ordered you both a drink, guessing what you like and nailing it when you went in for a second sip and shoved a thumb up.

"So," he began, fiddling with the coaster his beer sat on, "how long are you in London for?"

"Just until Thursday, Friday morning I'm heading to Manchester." You stated, realising you only had four days with Mason, including today.

"Well, we better make the days count then." Mason declared. The pair of you spoke about his career as well as yours, talking about how different school was for the pair of you. Mason had stood up, holding his hand out for you to take, and you'd accepted it without complaint. He led you out of the pub and through the town center, gazing at the stalls set up around you. The weather wasn't so different to New York, both constantly dreary, but you were liking London so far.

On your second day together, you'd taken a cab to another town, this time to just experience the busy streets. To Mason, this was normal. For you, it was only familiar. New York was one of the busiest cities in the world, but London was different, better in every other way. You'd finished your day together, stomachs full of pub food, and in the back of a cab, rain pattering on the windows. You'd shuffled closer to Mason, placing your hand on his and squeezing. He looked at you briefly, smiling his usual smile, before quickly looking out at the street in an effort to hide his tinged cheeks.

Day three, the weather was too bad to do anything. But Mason kept you company in your hotel room. He'd taught you a bunch of British slang, laughing as your accent completely butchered them all. You'd shown him a snippet of your new song before room service had arrived. And the night ended with the pair of you collapsed in your bed, tv playing in the back ground, but your eyes on each other. It was like pure magic, the long-awaited feeling of his lips on yours. You'd been thinking about it all day, missing every opportunity until now.

Your final day was the worst. You both knew it was coming, you wouldn't see him until you had a break, and he had one too. You both had stupidly busy schedules, as well as living in different countries. Maybe one day you could bring him to New York, show him your side of life. And maybe one day you'll branch out and move here.

Mason had helped you carry your things out of your hotel room, which was taking you to Manchester. Your manager had texted you to be in the car before 3, which meant you had just 10 minutes until you had to say goodbye to Mason for a while.

You were stood in the foyer of the hotel, waiting for the car to arrive. You'd secretly hoped it didn't, you wanted to stay with Mason for a while longer, but you couldn't. Duty called.

"Thank you for showing me around London," you spoke, looking up at Mason, who was hiding his deflated feelings, "I really enjoyed it, I might even prefer it to New York."

"That's a given. I'm here." He joked, in an obvious attempt to lighten the mood. These four days had been immense fun for him, different to how he usually spent his days. Different than night at home alone, different than a night on the town. Was it too soon to say he missed you?

Mason looked down at you as you clung to his side, hoping he felt the same way you did. And he did, you just didn’t know that. His fingers slid across your jaw slowly, pulling your chin up to look at him. It was an intense moment, so many different emotions. He’d leaned in and kissed you, it was his parting gift. To say that he’d see you soon enough.

“Enjoy Manchester, I’m sure I can fit another show in somehow.” Mason spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too.” You spoke, the car pulling up outside. He’d dragged your suitcases out to the car, popping them in the boot for you. Finally, he stared at you through the window, which you quickly rolled down. “I fancy you, is that the right term?”

Mason laughed, head tipping back slightly. “Yeah, it is. And I fancy you too.”

#mase #money mase #mason mount one shot #mason mount request #mason mount x reader #mason mount smut #mason mount imagine #mason mount blurb #mason mount

[wowitsel]

a little bit of me on you

tattoo shop! calum hood x gn! reader

summary: tattoo artist calum hood lets the reader give him a tattoo

word count: 1.3k

Leaning back in your chair, you admired your boyfriend as he sat at his desk sketching a tattoo idea. A late night at the tattoo shop had led you to go hang out with your boyfriend, Calum, at his work. It was often routine for you to hang around the shop while Calum finished up. It gave you time to hang out, even with both of your hectic schedules. It was always nice to hang out there after hours, it was oddly calm.

Sneaking up behind Calum, you got a better look at what he was drawing. Peeking at his work, you enquired, “So… whatcha working on?”

Stopping his sketching to talk to you, he responds, “Ahh just a floral piece for a client. You like it so far?” As he sees you nod, he continues, “You really should let me tattoo you again.”

Calum had given you several tattoos. With the two of you dating, it felt silly for you to get one from anyone else. He always gave you them free of charge (despite the argument from you), and it didn’t hurt that he was an insanely talented tattoo artist.

It was no secret that Calum didn’t contemplate much with his tattoos. With the sheer amount of them, he really couldn’t have. Add in him being a tattoo artist, and you have a man who gets tattoos in a very rash manner.

With this knowledge, staring at the man in front of you, a lightbulb lit up in your brain as you came up with an idea. You walk up behind the man, and hug him from behind, staring up at him. “Hey Cal, I have an idea…” Intrigued, Calum nodded to encourage you to keep speaking, “What if I give you a tattoo… I mean it could just be a small lil thing, and I know I’m not the best artist but I thought it could be fun.”

Calum surprised you, and he promptly responded, “I’m down” with a smile on his face.

“For real?”

“For real.”

Now, smiling like a maniac, you quickly ran your hand through Calum’s hair, while asking him; “So, what do you want for a tattoo? Try and go a little easy on me. You are the professional here.”

Calum sighed dramatically, “Well, you could do a smiley face or a heart, it’s really up to you, I’m down for anything, my love.”

“I have a scary amount of power in my hands don’t you think?”, you said in a disney villain-esque voice.

Calum gives you a look, while teasingly saying, “well, maybe not anything”

“Can’t take it back now, darling” you reply.

You then grabbed his hand to pull him away from his desk; “Now, c’mon let’s go!”

Pulling him toward his tattooing station, and gently shoved him down onto the chair.

“So you’re just gonna free-hand this?” you hear Calum say to you.

“Umm yes?” you answered unsure of how he would respond.

Calum just shrugged it off and nonchalantly replied, “Ok”.

Now, you had watched and received enough tattoos to generally know what you were doing, so you weren’t too nervous. That being said, you were going to be putting something on his body permanently, so it was a bit of a big deal. Walking over to the table with all the equipment, you stood there standing in front of it, just wondering where to even start.

Calum seemed to have read your mind at the moment. Getting up from the chair, and asking you, “You want me to set it all up for you?”

“Yes please,” you said, giving him a small smile and taking his place sitting on the chair.

Fidgeting with the loose thread hanging off the chair, you tell Calum, I think I’m gonna do a smiley face like you said. I don’t really trust myself enough to do much else”

Calum smiled at your little quip at your tattooing skills and replied, “Sounds good baby.”

Finishing up everything he needed to do to set up, Calum brought the tattoo gun, and everything else needed over to you and took a seat again once you stood up.

“So how much will you hate me if I mess up?” you said in a jokingly curious tone.

“You’re not giving me much confidence in your tattoo skills, my love” you hear him say as you situate yourself above his arm where he wanted the tattoo.

“I’m sure it’ll be fine” you sigh as you pat him on the arm. “You ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be”

As you press the tattoo gun down onto Calum’s skin, he barely shows any signs of discomfort. “Is this really not hurting? Cause you seem to just be chillaxin’ or something, babe, I don't really get it. Every time I get a tattoo I wince and whine like a little baby. Am I a wimp for pain or something?”

Calum just replies to you by saying, “Baby, I've gotten a lot of tattoos, calm down, and pay more attention to the tattoo, it's gonna be on my body forever!”

You decided to listen to Calum’s advice and focus on the task at hand. Granted, it wasn’t a very big tattoo, so theoretically it shouldn’t have taken long, but you were being extra careful and slow, because of the whole “permanent” thing.

Getting into a grove, there was a nice silence and calm feeling in the air. Getting comfortable in the chair, and used to the feeling of the tattoo, Calum started to half-sing, half-hum some random tune he had thought of.

Smiling, and listening to him, you told him, “You sound good, you should become a singer or something”

“Ha! Imagine that; Calum Hood, rockstar. I could never.” Calum says to you, and you both chuckle at the thought. Calum leans his head over to check on the progress of the tattoo as you finish the last line in his tattoo.

“I’m done!” you say to him with a big smile on your face.

Calum gives you a look of admiration while telling you, “You did amazing, I’m so proud of you baby”

“I’m glad you think so. Now, I’m gonna go get the bandages and all that other shit so it doesn’t get infected or something,” you say getting up.

“Look at you being all professional, huh?” Calum says with a teasing smile.

“Yup!” you start to walk away when you realize that you have no idea where any of that stuff is; “So… ummm, the thing is…”

“You need me to get it for you?” Calum slyly says.

“Yes,” you squeak out meekly.

“I got you, baby,” Calum says while walking toward the supplies drawer.

After making his way back, Calum starts to put on the petroleum jelly on the fresh tattoo, and tries to put the bandage on himself, but struggles because of the position of the tattoo on his arm.

“Here, let me help you,” you said, grabbing the bandage out of his hand.

Wrapping it around his arm, you kiss the fully wrapped tattoo, and then kiss Calum on the lips. “Thank you for letting me do this Cal” you whisper against his lips.

“Thank you for not messing up,” he says, making you laugh.

“Now come on, let’s go cuddle on the couch”

After making your way to the waiting area of the tattoo shop, Calum plops down onto the couch, so he’s laying down on it, and pats the space next to him signaling for you to lay next to him, which you do.

As you lay down on the couch, Calum wraps his arm around you and kisses you on the forehead.

“This was fun,” you whisper to him.

“Yeah, it was.” you hear Calum whisper back as you see him start to yawn.

“You tired baby?” you say as you snuggle into him more.

“Yeah” Calum says weakly as you see him slowly fall asleep.

You smile at him as you begin to fall asleep yourself, so happy.

#calum hood #calum hood imagine #calum hood x reader #calum hood fluff #5sos #5sos imagine #5sos x reader #5sos fluff #calum hood fanfic #calum hood fanfiction #5sos fanfiction #5sos fic

[kay-emm-gee]

just one more chance (to put my arms in fragile hands) (1/?)

Pairing: Bellamy Blake/Clarke Griffin Rating: Mature || wc: ~1.7k Summary: Mechastation is going on tour, but they're missing one key member--a manager. Clarke steps in to help them out of a tight spot, but given her messy professional and romantic history with Bellamy, their lead singer, they may be headed for even more trouble than they are already in. Still, the show must go on, and as they try to work together, maybe, just maybe, the two of them are headed for an encore.

a/n: I am (somewhat) back on my Bellarke bullshit, and this idea has been banging around in my head for a few months now. Though I do have a whole series of scenes planned out, I have zero set plans about when I'm adding more. I'm trying to be gentle with myself as I get back into writing after a few years away, so having fun and taking it slow is the goal :)

* * * *

Clarke couldn’t help but pace up and down the hallway of Arkadia Records as she listened to the murmurs inside the conference room. She had already tried to occupy herself by reciting the names of bandmembers for each record framed on the wall. Raven had entered only ten—Clarke checked her watch wait, make that eleven—minutes ago. There hadn’t been any raised voices yet, so she must still be lining up their pitch to make Clarke their temporary band manager. Mechastation was about to head out on tour, short a manager due to an ‘unresolvable conflict’ with their previous one, as the press release had stated.

‘A hot mess of a coworkers-with-benefits relationship turned sour’ was what the tabloids had called it. Whatever it was, Clarke knew it had to have been pretty bad for Raven to have taken her call. She had expected to be completely ignored when she had risked reaching out to suggest that she step into the role. And yet, here she was, waiting to see if Raven would be able to convince her bandmates to take her on.

As she straightened dress yet again, Clarke realized silence had fallen in the room. Immediately, she steeled herself and just barely managed not to flinch as the door handle wrenched open.

And there he was: Bellamy Blake, lead vocalist of Mechastation, Rolling Stones hottest musician two years running, and mythology buff (though few knew that last fact). His brown eyes widened when he saw her standing in his way, and she felt her gut tighten as his whole expression slowly hardened.

And now on with the show.

Taking in a steadying breath, Clarke met his stormy expression with a tight, calm smile. She studiously ignored the way her stomach flipped at seeing in the flesh after nearly eight years apart. All of that didn’t matter now— at least that was what she kept telling herself.

His jaw clenched, and she pretended not to notice the whitening of his knuckles as he gripped the door handle tighter.

“Hear her out, Bellamy,” Raven called out from somewhere behind him.

He opened his mouth, no doubt to protest, but then another voice unfamiliar to Clarke spoke.

“After Echo, you owe us, jackass.”

She prepared herself for Bellamy to lash out, but surprisingly, he stayed silent. After a beat, he turned slowly and retreated back into the room. Clarke immediately followed. She wouldn’t put it past him to barricade the door behind her.

Raven was standing by her chair across the conference room table, with Miller sitting to her left. To her right were two band members who Clarke recognized from their promotional material but whom she had never met. They had joined after—after Mechastation had been dropped by her mother’s label, after her and Bellamy’s spectacular implosion.

Bellamy had retreated to the far end of the room. He was back-to, staring out at the cityscape visible from the floor-to-ceiling windows with hunched shoulders.

“This is Clarke,” Raven said as she pulled out her chair to sit again. “You know Miller. This is Murphy, our drummer, and Emori, who manages all things stage and touring.”

Clarke gave them a professional smile as she approached the table. Miller gave her a curt nod before getting up to go to Bellamy. Not unfriendly, but not all that welcoming. Raven rolled her eyes, seemingly not worried about him.

Clarke tried to ignore her own concerns. She took a deep breath. “Nice to meet you all.”

Murphy gave her a leisurely once-over then tipped his head in acknowledgement. Emori did the same.

Tough crowd, Clarke thought, but she also knew it could’ve been worse. At least she had made it into the room.

“You’ll be working with Emori most closely for the tour. She’s the best thing that happened to us. Frankly it’s the only reason we tolerate Murphy’s bullshit, because if he goes, she goes.”

“Aw, love you too, Reyes,” Murphy drawled. Clarke realized he was the one who had called Bellamy a jackass earlier. They really must want to keep Emori, she thought wryly, if Bellamy put up with that attitude. Either that, or he had learned patience in the years since they had been together.

Raven ignored him. “She keeps Jordan and Green in check, so she’s worth ten times her weight in platinum albums.”

“Monty and Jasper are still with you?” Clarke asked, delighted. She had always had a soft spot for the goofy but sweet roadies for Mechastation.

“Yes,” Raven said with a fondly exasperated smile.

“Someone decided to promote those two idiots to be in charge of our lights and sound,” Murphy grumbled. “Never have I seen so many fires and explosions on a single tour leg. Walking disasters, the both of them.”

“And yet your sound is always impeccable and you rarely complain about how you’re lit,” Emori commented dryly.

Murphy shot her a dirty look, which made Emori grin widely. Raven shrugged her shoulders as if to say, see?

Emori broke her staring match with Murphy to address Clarke. “I can handle those two fine, but I’ll be honest, having an extra hand around who knows them is going to be a relief.”

The vise around Clarke’s chest eased a bit. Another band member seemed to be on her side.

Murphy spoke up next. “If it means Emori has to spend less of her time wrangling those imbeciles, then sure, it’s a yes from me.”

Raven closed her eyes briefly in relief. She turned to the two remaining members, and Clarke risked a glance in their direction as well. Miller was leaning against the window, arms crossed over his chest. Bellamy still refused to face them.

“Miller?” Raven prompted tightly.

He shrugged a single shoulder without giving anything away in his expression.

“Miller.”

His eyes narrowed slightly. He and Raven stared each other down for a few moments before he sighed.

“I can cast a vote or whatever the fuck you want, but does it really matter?”

As usual, the most stoic member of Mechastation had boiled the problem at hand down to its essential core: even if everyone else was a yes, the only vote that really mattered was Bellamy’s.

Sensing the focus drawing in on him, he rolled his shoulders jerkily. The silence from him stretched, and so did the tension. Heart pounding in her chest, Clarke knew this was the make or break moment. It was time to make her case.

She could recite all of the praise and big-name-endorsements that she had received in the last year. She could choose to list the accolades and achievements she had accumulated in a shockingly short amount of time, even for someone who had been born and bred into the industry. She could tell him—all of them—exactly how qualified she was for this position.

None of it would matter, though, not in this case. For this position, they needed someone they could trust, and she had lost Bellamy’s trust a long time ago.

And so she said as much.

“You need a manager. Yesterday. I’m not saying I’m the best manager for you to have.” She heard Raven make a small, panicked noise, but she held up her hand. “What I’m saying is I’m the best manager for you to have for now. Your tour starts in a week, and you need someone who knows your band. I used to know you, so I at least have a leg up on other potential candidates. I know where you’ve been, and I know where you are going, or trying to, with this tour. I’ve read every interview each of you has given in the last year, listened to each album, each recorded live performance released by your label and every one on YouTube as well. I’m good at my job, and I know this band, at least as well as any other potential manager.”

She took a deep breath, and made her closing argument.

“You don’t have to trust me, Bellamy. You just have to trust that I will act in your best interests.” She paused, then hastily amended, “In the band’s best interests.”

His voice was tighter than a guitar string when he responded. “Your family doesn’t have a stellar track record of acting in my family’s best interests.”

Swallowing down her regret and just a bit of anger, Clarke calmly replied, “I am not my mother. Give me this chance to prove you wrong. And just say the word, and I’m gone.”

“And she’s just on for the tour Bellamy,” Miller said in his quiet but firm way. “It’s just a few months. And then she’s gone.”

“And then I’m gone,” Clarke confirmed.

Bellamy still didn’t turn around, but he unfolded his arms. He scrubbed his hand over his face, sighed, and that was when Clarke knew he had given in.

His bandmates knew it too. Raven smiled in relief, and Miller flashed her a grim flex of his mouth that seemed somewhat reassuring.

And then Murphy opened his mouth. “Bellamy, just don’t sleep with this one like you did with Echo.”

An awful silence settled over the room, and Clarke’s stomach dropped in trepidation.

Murphy shuffled up from his slouching position, a darkly gleeful look in his eyes. “Oh shit, you already did sleep with her, didn’t you? I thought your grudge was just cause her mother’s label fucked you over. Well, is this going to be a problem, because that might change my vote, if you are going to go there again with our manager. I can’t deal with that particular type of shitshow again.”

“I have no intention of going there again,” Bellamy bit out as he finally turned around. “You don’t have to worry about that, I fucking promise you that.”

He stormed out of the room without a single glance, or even a glare, in Clarke’s direction. The hard, bitter tone edge to his words made Clarke’s chest contract painfully and, for the first time since she had dialed Raven’s number, she started to think she was going to regret this decision.

#bellarke #bellarke fanfiction #told yall i was back on my bullshit #first thing i've written in like a year?? #cant promise more soon even though i have more planned #we're taking this slow and easy #FUN is the goal #(she says with tense shoulders and gritted teeth) #my fanfiction #just one more chance (to put my arms in fragile hands)