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lumosinlove · 3 years

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Well, this got longer than I thought it would, so I’ll have to publish in a few parts as I write...

But Happy Birthday, Finn, my favorite :)

Find it here on Ao3

Of Silence And Slow Time

part i of iii

New York City, 1920

Everyone told Finn that the statue looked like him, that he simply must go and see it.

“Really, Finn,” his older brother Alex said. “It’s the eyes, the face, it’s the mouth. It’s uncanny.”

Finn had just looked over Alex and the man and woman he seemed to always have at his side ever since the war ended. Natalie, a nurse whom he’d met in France, and Kasey a Canadian from another unit—they’d ended up in the hospital together.

“It’s in France,” Finn said flatly. “I know you’re forgetting about it all, but I’m not exactly keen on going back there. It took me ages to get home.”

It had taken everything for him to get home.

Alex, to Finn’s relief, nodded at Natalie and Kasey to go get themselves a drink at the bar down the street, told them that he’d meet them there. Finn stared down at the book open and unseeing in his lap. He wasn’t even sure what he was reading, on that he wanted to. His mind didn’t seem to follow him just right these days. Cars became bombs sometimes. Sleep was all dreams.

Alex sat beside him on their parents’ old sofa.

“Fish,” Alex said softly, and moved his hand slow, where Finn could see it, before resting it gently around his shoulders. “You can’t sit here all day. That’s not going to help you, and I know you don’t like it. You’ve never sat still like this.”

“I’m not going back to France.”

“It’s Paris,” Alex said, and gently flipped Finn’s wrist over to reveal the tiny globe his friend Jackson had dotted there with a needle and ink. “You’ve always wanted…don’t let this war stop you any longer.”

Finn stared down at the reminder he’d asked his friend for, ink permanent black. He’d never been farther than New England before the war. Paris, he’d always thought, gazing at his collection of books. Rome. Athens, Barcelona—

Finn swallowed hard. “Looks just like me, huh?”

Alex’s grin was enough to pull one out of Finn, just slightly. “It was bizarre.” Alex squeezed his shoulders. “I’ll even meet you there later if you want, once we’re through with Canada.”

Finn sent a wary glance towards where Natalie and Kasey had left.

Alex raised an eyebrow. “You’d like them. And, who knows who you’ll meet over there. We ran into all sorts of people, people like you’ve never seen. It’s why—” Alex broke off slightly, and looked after the nurse and soldier, too. Finn blinked at the nervous bob of his throat, and then his smile. “There are all sorts of love and art in this world of ours. I know it feels like it’s all war, I felt that too, but it’s not. Please let me help you see that.”

Finn rubbed a thumb over his tattoo, and closed his book.

Everything felt like war. He was so tired of it he thought he’d be crushed.

He looked up at his brother. “I don’t have much money.”

Alex just grinned and slapped him on the back, then pulled him into a tight embrace.

Finn arrived in Paris with a lump in his throat. He stumbled through half-French greetings and requests to his taxi, who looked at him sourly and turned out to have dropped him off four streets away from his hotel—maybe on purpose. Maybe because it was barely six in the morning.

Finn was annoyed at first, and then he began to walk.

Paris’ cobblestones were like those in the West Village, only they weren’t. There were glimpses of his home in the uneven tread of his feet, but these stones were darker, as if soaked with more time and more place. It calmed him, while the brief glance towards France’s rolling hills had sent him back to his cabin on the rocky ship, shaking and gasping for air. He’d barely eaten during the entire journey besides forcing down the occasional breakfast sludge, and his legs had wobbled so fiercely upon stepping back onto land, he’d had to sit down.

Finn paused now, closing his eyes and leaning against the nearest building. He’d been so stupid the first time, decked out in his new uniform, eyes on the war like it was some prize to be won. The comfort waned with his scattering mind and Finn tried to draw a steady breath in. The lump in his throat only grew tighter and he squeezed the handle of his small suitcase.

“Monsieur?” came a voice, spilled over with concern.

Finn’s eyes flashed open and he pushed himself straight, blinking through the pale morning light. There was a boy standing there, around his age, with bright blond hair and worried blue eyes. He was tall, with a neat white apron tied around his hips.

“Ça va?” the boy took a hesitant step forward. His eyes glanced towards Finn’s suitcase, and he nodded in realization, then spoke in accented English. “Are you all right?”

Finn looked behind the boy to see the cafe, slowly opening, from which he must have come. There was an abandoned stack of chairs he was putting out for the day, and his apron had an embroidered name at one corner, Finn realized, that matched the sign above.

Le Lion.

“Yes,” Finn breathed, but found himself unable to speak louder. “I’m fine.”

The boy just shook his head, and gestured behind him. “Non. You must sit down. S’il vous plaît. Please.”

Finn didn’t know how to refuse him.

A few minutes later, he found himself stationed at one of the cafe’s tables with a steaming pot of coffee in front of him, a croissant, and a plate of softly scrambled eggs.

“You look like you need more than butter and bread,” the boy had said, wiping strong looking hands on his apron. “You are from America?”

Finn nodded. He had been worried he would be able to stomach the food after the boy went through so much trouble, but upon his first bite of eggs, he felt ravenous.

“Yes,” Finn nodded, brushing his hands off from croissant crumbs. “Sorry, yes,” he held out his hand. “Finn.”

“Leo,” the boy smiled, and took his hand. “It is a pleasure.”

Finn found himself returning that smile with one that, for the first time in a long time, felt like his own. He tried to put coins into Leo’s hand when it was all over, but Leo simply waved him off and said he hoped to see Finn again.

The Louvre was more than Finn could have imagined. It was like walking across the ocean floor, new rarities at every corner. And, of course, there was the matter of the statue. Alex had said it would be with all the other works from ancient Greece. He didn’t have trouble following the signs to the correct gallery, walking through the white marble hallways. When he did reach the Greek galleries, his first thought was that the perfectly white statues nearly blended in with everything else, at least until he found a plaque that said it had all been painted once. Finn smiled to himself. Maybe his apparent stony doppelgänger had had red hair, too.

Imagining Alex and his long stride in these halls was easy. And it was quiet here, and distracting, which let Finn close his eyes for a moment, inhaling the scent of old stone, like a church, or a river’s bank.

When he opened them, he had found it. He was staring into his own face. His eyes were blank. He reached up to feel the shape of his own jaw as he looked at the statue’s, on display in the way the head was slightly turned, jaw set, brow low, as if in focus. Finn blinked, pulled out of the daze of seeing it, and his eyes landed on the museum card beside it. There was a word in ancient Greek, said to have been carved more visibly into the bust’s base. Future, it translated to. Thought to be made in the name of a God, though he may be lost now. There is no other surviving work by this artist.

Finn looked back at the eyes, so much like his own he could have seen brown there in the blank irises, and thought about when this strange statue had been carved. He’d always loved the way ancient Greece was sometimes described in poetry. It had gotten him through many long nights in the trenches. Serene, warm, and with nothing to do but lounge in the olive groves. Working the land and coming home at sundown to wine and honey and spiced meat. He’d longed for it. He longed for it still, this simple-seeming past.

The next thing he felt was warm wind. He smelled salt water.

The museum melted around him and his shoes slipped into sand before disappearing entirely.

Finn turned around to the sound of someone shouting, worried it was at him, only to find a brunette boy storming towards him—then past him—a foreign language continuing to fly off of his tongue. But more importantly, the boy was dressed in a simple garment of white cloth that left his strong, tanned legs and arms completely bare, and his feet were sandaled. Finn reached down to smooth his suit, only to find it gone, as well, replaced with a similar getup. He stared down at his bare skin, so pale in the bright sunlight.

And then the foreign language morphed, like a scratched record, and became English to his ears.

“—I’m telling you, Leo, I won’t go. Not without you.”

Leo?

And there the blond boy was, sitting in the shade of low trees at the edge of the beach. He was holding some sort of musical instrument, plucking at its strings almost sadly, head bowed.

“You have to,” Leo replied. “The oath says—“

He stopped mid-sentence, having looked up and spotted Finn. It made the brunette turn, and then Finn’s back was in the sand and there was a thin, rough blade at his throat.

Green eyes bore down into his own, a growl ripping from the boy’s throat. “Spartan.”

Finn choked out a breath, his hand going around the boy’s wrist. “No—no.”

“Logan,” came Leo’s voice, and then the knife’s pressure was released, pulled back by Leo, but the boy—Logan—was still sitting firmly on Finn’s hips. Finn felt his entire body flush with the sheer lack of fabric between them, but Logan didn’t seem to either mind or notice.

“I’m not a—Spartan,” Finn managed. “What the hell, I…” He looked to his left, at the sparkling waves lapping there, and then to the two boys looming above him. “Where am I?”

That made both of them freeze, the knife twitching in Logan’s hand.

“Ithaca,” Leo offered timidly, then glanced out at sea, as if that was where Finn had come from. Finn just stared at him.

He was the boy from the cafe. He was sure of it. His blue eyes filled with the same concern as they had on that early morning cobblestone street.

“Are you all right?” Leo asked.

“He is a spy,” Logan said, and went for him again.

Finn was ready this time. He knocked a leg around Logan’s waist, putting him on his back, and then rolled away from him and to his feet, knife in hand. He raised it for the two of them to see and then tossed it a little ways down the beach. “I’m not a spy. I…I’m just lost.”

It was true. In more ways than he’d even thought before.

“Please,” he managed more quietly.

He watched Leo and Logan exchange a look, unsure of what it meant, until Logan turned on his heel and Leo gestured for Finn to follow.

“Are you at war?” Finn asked he was led through the city streets. It had been a hot walk up a long road built into a steep hill, all the way up to what Finn assumed was the inner city and acropolis. Water ran along the side of the street—no doubt with sewage—and they crossed via stepping stones, pressing themselves against the walls whenever carts rattled by—carts filled with men with shields and swords or spears.

Logan, who brought up the rear behind him, having retrieved his knife, scoffed. “Aren’t we always?”

“And where are you taking me?”

“Where we take any question we can’t answer,” Leo said from in front of him, golden hair gleaming. “Pascal.”

#finn o'hara #hazelverse #Logan tremblay #Leo knut #o'knutzy #historical #historical au #ancient greece #1920 #wwi

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awanderingdeal · 3 years

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Lazy summer mornings with the cubs.

Is this an update for one of the many works in progress that I have? Afraid not! This is a story that I wrote live on the discord (after some inspiration from @ais-for-alex), with a bit of editing. The flow still isn’t 100% but I’m pretty happy with it.

It’s smutty mess of emotion, featuring some of the corniest lines I have ever written. I would apologise but these boys make me feel things. RATING: EXPLICIT.

All credit for the wonderful Leo, Logan and Finn goes to @lumosinlove.

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When they weren’t travelling, summer break was filled with lazy mornings that Leo treasured. Sometimes, like today, Finn slipped out at first light to play basketball with Alex, Kasey and Natalie. It left Leo and Logan to wake slowly. Inevitably, Leo would be the first, piling pillows behind him so that he could make some headway in the required reading for his online class. Eventually Logan would crack his eyes open, stretching and popping his limbs. Once he had fought through the sleepy haze, Logan would grab his laptop, finding a documentary to meet whatever his latest obsession was. Apparently, ‘The mystery of the rebel pharaoh’ was not as riveting as it sounded because Leo could feel Logan getting restless beside him.

Out of the corner of his eye, Leo saw Logan rip off his headphones and he heard the slap of a laptop closing. What he doesn't expect is Logan's fingers on the band of his underwear. Leo protests, just wanting to get to the end of his chapter. Logan’s hands still but his eyes are bright and wanting. Leo knows that look.

"Can I?" Logan asks, a slow smirk spreading across his face. The words are few but Leo understands the question is related to the article that Logan sent him yesterday. The article he had opened whilst in a meeting with Cameron, the specialist keeper coach, by the way. He'd been expecting something mundane about picking up groceries or what setting on the washing machine to use, not 'Cockwarming 101'. He can still feel the heat of the blush that had spread over his face and Cameron’s concerned questions.

Leo nods his consent and Logan takes his penis into his mouth. He is fairly certain that he should have just dropped the reading, because how was he supposed to concentrate with his cock in the warmth of Logan's mouth. However, surprisingly quickly, it becomes an intimate, comforting sensation and he is able to make progress. Occasionally, Logan would shift or hum his contentment and it would send a shiver through Leo. He breathes through it and waits for himself to calm down, feeling Logan grin around him. Leo sees Logan's hand move to his own cock, stroking it lazily. His fingers barely grazing over the darkened skin, matching the lazy sucks he'd started to subject Leo to and Leo's resolve breaks. He puts his tablet down, his fingers tangling in Logan's hair, "Alright, baby. Go ahead."

Logan's eyes glance up at Leo, and somehow he looks the picture of innocence despite the fact that he still has Leo between his lips. Logan suckles Leo a few times before pulling off with a pop. "Finished reading, baby?" he asks, giving Leo a smug look that Leo really really wants to hate but just can't.

"You know very well that I wasn't," Leo scoffed. "But somebody is needy."

Logan laughed, "I don't know who you are talking about."

Leo raised an eyebrow, "a minute ago you seemed interested in keeping that smart mouth occupied by something else."

Logan pressed his lips to Leo's thighs, mouthing a mark into the skin. His fingers played aimlessly with Leo's balls, "what if I’ve changed my mind?"

Logan reached out to grab Leo's hand. "Non," he sang, pulling the long limb towards him. It fell comically onto Logan's curls, but Leo knew what he was going for and wrapped his long fingers into the hair with a snort.

Leo groaned, his head flopping back against the headboard. He quickly composed himself. Logan could be a shit, but Leo was more than able to match the teasing. "I'll just finish studying then, shall I?" he retorted, contorting his features into a smirk.

"Better distract me then, sweetheart," Leo grinned, lifting Logan's head gently and leaning down to press his lips against Logan's. Logan, having had enough of the games, licked his lips and sunk his mouth down on Leo's cock with a practised ease. His movements matched the lazy morning, slow and unhurried, savouring the moment. Logan's fingers clenched into Leo's hips, there so often that the skin seemed to have moulded itself to make a home for them.

A picture of restraint, Logan kept the pace slow. Each time Leo thought he couldn’t take it anymore, Logan’s tongue would lap at the head, taking the edge off. It was a beautiful kind of torture; Leo's length cocooned in the heat of Logan's mouth. He wanted nothing more than to thrust into it, to chase the pleasure humming just there. But Leo let himself fall into the heady feeling, let himself be guided in the way that Logan wanted.

Lost in the sensations, the first Leo knew of Finn's return home was the low whistle from the doorway. Leo's eyes snapped over to meet Finn's. Logan only sucked harder, pressing his fingers to the thin skin at the base of Leo's balls. A spot that Logan knew would make him keen - nothing if not a performer.

"Can I request that I come home to this all the time?" Finn breathed, pushing himself off the frame of the door. He crossed the room, the tight athletic shorts he was wearing left little to the imagination.

Somehow, Leo managed to find his voice. "Hey sweetheart. Good game?" he asked. Twelve months ago, when Leo was just starting to let himself imagine what this could be, he never could have conjured this image. Sometimes he still felt like he was dreaming. The reality was so much better.

Finn hummed a reply, leaning down to catch Leo's lips in a slightly salty kiss. "Yeah. Nat and I won, of course," Finn grinned, his fingers lingering on Leo's cheek.

"Morning, Lo." Finn added casually, his eyes glancing down the bed. Logan's mouth morphed into a smile around Leo. His eyes were questioning and Finn didn't need words to know what they were asking. "Sorry babe, I'm tired. Gonna jump in the shower and grab some food. You enjoy yourself though," Finn answered. Twelve months ago, Finn would never have turned down an opportunity like this. Leo knew that Finn too had been afraid that one day he was going to wake up and it'd all be over. But Finn was more secure these days. He could say no because there would be a lifetime of opportunities to say yes.

"Can I steal that mouth for a second?" Finn chuckled. Logan drew off Leo with a purposeful slurp, his lips painted with the signs of Leo's pleasure. Finn didn't hesitate before pressing their lips together, and Leo could have sworn his heart stopped for a beat when he saw Finn's tongue brush the mess away. "You always taste good, baby," Finn winked at Leo and it should have been cheesy, but Finn managed to make it effortlessly cool.

You think he's going to jerk off in there?" Logan laughed, cocking his head towards the bathroom door.

Leo rolled his eyes gently, his muscles jerking as Logan took him back into his mouth. "It's Finn so who knows? Fifty percent chance he's jerking off. Fifty percent chance he's practising his fake out and he's going to end up in the ER," Leo snickered.

Logan murmured his agreement, a breathy laugh sending a shiver up Leo's spine. He gave Leo a long lick before glancing up at him and pulling away again. Leo's eyes widened. He was officially going to combust. He was going to be the first person with, 'died of horniness', on their death certificate.

Logan huffed out another laugh, "Okay, Okay. Let's get you sorted. As much as I love having you in my mouth, I know half of that big brain of yours is already planning what to feed Finn."

Leo couldn't argue with that, "You know me too well, Logan Tremblay."

"Maybe you're just too predictable, Leo Knut," Logan countered.

Logan hollowed his mouth and filled it with Leo again. There was no moderation this time. Leo could feel him everywhere. His hands squeezing his balls, gently at first, and then harder. Logan's lips pressed tight around him, dragging down his cock and then back up again. His tongue wrapping around the head, dipping in to taste. Leo is vocal, gasping out encouragement liberally. Logan deserves to know how good he makes him feel. If he is a little louder so that Finn can hear from the bathroom, then that was his prerogative. Logan pushes Leo's legs up, his hands grasping onto his thighs. Leo knows what is coming and tries to prepare himself; he never can. Logan's mouth is at the head of his cock again, sucking and it doesn't stop. His legs push up but Logan's hands are strong against the pressure. Leo's eyes meet Logan's and that is enough for him to be emptying into his mouth. Logan doesn't falter, working him through it.

It's a few seconds before Leo finishes soaring, although it feels a lot longer. A few seconds before he notices that Logan was now resting on Leo, lips barely brushing his penis and hips rutting into the sheets. "Need a hand, Lo?” Leo asked, his voice still shaky.

Logan's eyes squeezed closed, his body stilling and Leo had his answer. He brushed his hands through Logan's hair until his green orbs were visible again. Logan blushed in the way he always did when he came untouched, no matter how many times he and Finn told him how much they loved it.

"Come here, sweetheart," Leo cooed, pulling Logan up his body. "How many times?"

Logan smacked his hand on Leo's chest, "Just twice."

"Just twice," Leo chuckled. "I'll try harder next time." He brushed his thumb over Logan's lips, still a bit tacky. "Tell me when?"

It was part of their normal routine now. Sometimes a way to debrief. An easier way for Logan to let them know what he liked. A relationship saver really, because if Leo had heard, "all of it," in response to "what was your favorite part?" again, then he wasn't going to be responsible for his actions. Sometimes a way to ramp things back up. The start of a 3rd, 4th or even once, a 5th time.

Logan nipped at the thumb playfully, "When Finn kissed me. When he took you from my lips. And then he just...licked." His words trailed off, barely audible at the end as if he was reliving the moment. Leo couldn't blame him. It had been hot.

"Yeah, I think that might be ingrained in my memory forever," Leo agreed, taking his thumb back and replacing it with a quick kiss. The bathroom door opened, releasing a haze of steam and a very relaxed looking Finn.

"He lives!" Logan teased, his laugh full and happy.

"Had a bath in the end," Finn shrugged, letting the towel wrapped around his waist fall and Leo was sure that he left it a beat longer than normal to pull on a fresh pair of briefs. "I got distracted." Finn continued.

Leo pulled Logan's damp clothes from him, the shorter boy lifting up to aid their removal. "I'm just going to grab a cloth," Leo whispered, kissing at Logan's jaw.

"...and then I couldn't stop so I just re-enacted that whole scene in the perfect bathroom. I was Harry, Myrtle and the merpeople. Deserved an Oscar if you ask me."

Leo caught the end of Finn's monologue, complete with enthusiastic gesturing, as he walked back into the bedroom. He'd learnt long ago not to ask questions, but that was definitely not what he had been expecting.

"Sounds like you had fun, babe," Leo chuckled, tapping Finn's ass as he passed by.

"And don't think I didn't hear your dramatics. Very much appreciated, by the way." Finn said, an arm wrapping around Leo's waist as he was pulled back to Finn. Leo felt Finn's hand tilting his chin and pressing his lips to his own. It all happened so quickly, leaving Leo a bit dazed.

Leo blinked, looking down at Finn with a smile. He took Finn’s hand from his chin, pressing his knuckles against his lips before pushing the washcloth into his curled fingers. "How about you take care of our boy over there and I'll make breakfast?"

Finn hummed his approval, kissing Leo again. His collarbone this time. "I like that plan,” he said, reluctantly untangling himself from Leo. Still, there was a bounce in his step as he made his way to the bed. From the arms of one love to another.

Leo didn't leave straight away, letting himself indulge in the whispered tenderness of Logan and Finn. It was moments like this that he loved the most. The calm before the storm, as Leo thought of them. Soon they'd get up and it would be a symphony of noise - Leo loved that too - but for now it was murmured nothings and skin on skin, searching out comfort in the familiar beat of one another's hearts. Moments that should have been too private to watch, and yet Leo was welcome.

#Sweater Weather #Coast To Coast #Leo knut #logan tremblay #finn o'hara #lumosinlove

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camb99-cbmi6 · 3 years

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My top 10 Eurovision Song Contest entry songs:

So I actually started this list back last year but I'm so indecisive I couldn't settle on an order lol, but I've managed to rank my top 10 favourites now although the only one that is definite is 1 really, 2 - 10 are pretty interchangeable. I want to mention though that I only found out about Eurovision in 2014 so that was my first year, so I don't know a lot of songs before that other than a few I've seen in compilations on YouTube. I also like to see and hear the songs for the first time in the finals so I'm going by those live performances and not the studio recorded versions things like Spotify have, although those are all I can include in this post. Anyway on to the countdown starting with number 10.

10: Together - Ryan O'Shaughnessy - Ireland - 2018

I mean it's a gay love song, how can I not love it? Sure is a little sad but it's a beautiful song in my opinion and Ryan sings it lovely, and the accompanying dancers were great and not an over the top visual element like so many performances tend to be.

9: Sound of Silence - Dami Im - Australia - 2016

Another beautiful song and Dami hits those high notes perfectly, which so many people on Eurovision try and unfortunately fail to. Also another nice and simple stage performance.

8: Rhythm Inside - Loïc Nottet - Belgium - 2015

The first song in this list which I prefer the live performance to lol. Loïc singing while led down for part of it is no easy feat, plus he does an amazing ballet like spin which I love and wish I could do lmao.

7: Run Away - Sunstroke Project, Olia Tira - Moldova - 2010

You may know this one as the song with "Epic Sax Guy" lmao. I don't think it did that well in Eurovision, and to be honest I think I prefer the Spotify version, but it did get the recognition and appreciation it deserves...in memes lol. Can we also give a shoutout to the violinist though because that fast paced piece he plays at the start while being on a rotating platform is pretty amazing. Sunstroke Project also represented Moldova in 2017 with "Hey Mama" which I also like a lot and would be number 12 lol.

6: Heartbeat - Can-Linn, Kasey Smith - Ireland - 2014

Okay I have no idea how this didn't make the final, although 2014 was my first time watching Eurovision I wasn't keen on a lot of the songs, so I'll always be mad that Heartbeat wasn't one of them.

5: Spirit in the Sky - KEiiNO - Norway - 2019

I feel like people either love or hate this one lol, but personally it was one of my favourites in 2019 and came 6th.

4: Only Teardrops - Emmelie De Forest - Denmark - 2013

I don't really know what to say about this one other than I like it and think it's nice lol. It's one of those that can cheer me up if I'm having a bad day.

3: Heroes - Måns Zelmerlöw - Sweden - 2015

Okay to be honest I wasn't a fan of this one when I first watched/hears it, I felt like it won because of the fancy visual effects, but over the years it's grown on me and I do actually like the song, especially Conchita's cover.

2: Arcade - Duncan Laurence - The Netherlands - 2019

I think this was the first year since 2014 that I agreed with the winning song at the time lol, although there were a lot of entries in 2019 that I liked, but Arcade is a beautiful song sung by Duncan's beautiful voice accompanied by a beautiful less is more approach on stage and that's all the ingredients to what makes a winning song in my opinion.

1: Rise Like a Phoenix - Conchita Wurst - Austria - 2014

Okay before you come at me, yes I may be a little biased as it was my first Eurovision lol, but I loved the song and again simplicity on stage. I also felt like the song had vibes like a James Bond song which as a fan of that franchise helped me to love it, and it even inspired me to create my own video game mod where it would be used for the theme song lmao. Conchita was also the first drag queen I ever saw, and like many people I was very confused at the time (and not very supportive to be honest as much as I hate to say it, I was 14 and life was hard, not that that's an excuse to be hateful I know), but her message when she won I found very impactful and I love that she refers to the LGBTQ+ community as "The Unstoppables". I always love it when she returns in Eurovision, and I'm very glad her winning song is my all time favourite.

Thanks for reading this if you've made it this far lol, no doubt I'll be changing my mind again after this years contest (yay we're actually getting one) but I might also do some lists like "Underrated Eurovision songs in my opinion" or top 10s from each year before we get there, so if anyone would like those please let me know, and do share your thoughts too! :3

#cams thoughts #eurovision #eurovision song contest #esc #spotify #Spotify #music

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sprite-periodt · 1 month

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True or false you’re an absolute A+ cutie? (If you say false there is a consequence /lh /t)

False! I tell no lies and there is no proof <3

#keen kasey #hehehehe #ask game #tickle asks #I got an ask!!#tickle blog #tickle fluff

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queen-scribbles · 3 years

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Hundred Year Habit

@haledamage and I challenged each other to write “happy together decades/centuries down the road” fic for our Wayhaven girls, and to my great and lasting shock KASEY was the first of my girls to volunteer. (I actually finished this mid-March and have been sitting on it for Mason’s birthday :P)

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Kasey kicked the door closed behind her with an ill-tempered grunt, then glared at it when the subsequent rattle knocked a picture off the wall.

Mason turned to look at her from where he sat slouched on the sofa and arched a brow, but that was the extent of his reaction to her mood.

It was, in her current state, all the invitation she needed. “Skelly’s is soddin’ gone,” she growled as she skirted the sofa. It squeaked a mild protest when she plunked down and spun sideways to drop her head in Mason’s lap, legs dangling over the opposite arm of the couch. “The space is turning into a damn tea room.”

He idly settled one arm over her midriff as he shrugged. “So pick a new coffee shop, sweetheart.”

Kasey snorted and lightly bopped her fist against his knee. “Oh, sure. It only took me seventy five goddamn years to find somewhere that serves literally the perfect cup of coffee, a replacement’s probably just around the corner.” His other hand threaded slowly into her hair, and she leaned briefly into the distraction of it before shooting a pointed look at the cigarette between his lips. “What would you do if you couldn’t get those any more?!��

He grinned sardonically and lifted his hand from her stomach to hold the cigarette. “Cope. Might just have to get annoyingly clingy with you.”

“You sayin’ you want me to get annoyingly clingy with you, sunshine?” Kasey snarked, heels kicking lightly against the side of the couch.

“Better than being whiny,” Mason said, both brows raised as he looked down at her.

She smirked and sat up. “Ah, but whining means--”

He kissed her as he leaned over to drop his cigarette in the ashtray on the coffee table.

“--you doing that to shut me up,” Kasey finished mischievously when he broke the kiss.

“Don’t blame me for your bad habits, sweetheart,” Mason shot back, but he was smirking to match her as he tugged her in for another kiss.

She went with it, scooting to sit across his lap even as the kiss kept going. (It was, she mused, very handy not needing to breathe sometimes.) Her fingers dug into his hair and she smirked at the rough hum of approval it elicited, his arms tightening around her waist.

They held the kiss for a dizzyingly long time before breaking apart with matching quiet gasps. Mason shifted, turning his head in her loose grasp to press a lingering kiss to the inside of her wrist, right where the scars from Murphy used to be. She had no idea how he still remembered; the faint marks were centuries gone, but he did.

Kasey bit her lip, rested her forehead against his temple at the gesture. “I still need my coffee,” she mumbled into his hair.

“If all you need’s a pick me up, I can help with that,” he murmured back. His fingers edged under her t-shirt, leaving goosebumps in their wake as they trailed up her back.

She smiled and shifted to straddle his hips,” I do love your pick me ups,” she whispered as she kissed him, her hands now resting on his shoulders as she played with the ends of his hair. “Think we have time for one and me getting coffee before we meet the rest of the team?”

Mason’s boots hit the floor with a dull thump and he sent her a positively wolfish grin. “Let’s find out.”

“Mason!” It came out half laugh, half shriek as his hands moved from halfway up her back to the backs of her thighs for support while he pushed to his feet. She instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist, burying her face in the side of his neck as he started for the bedroom. (Nate had nearly killed the pair of them the first--and only--time they’d been too impatient to move it off the couch here.)

He growled softly at the brush of her lips over his skin and tightened his grip to shift her slightly higher.

Kasey hummed when he kissed the base of her throat and shoved the bedroom door closed behind them as they passed through. “You better hope I still have time for coffee...”

Mason chuckled at the ultimatum and dropped her on the bed, easily following when she pulled him after her.

--- ---- ---

Despite her only half-joking threat, Kasey was in no hurry to move when they were done. She rolled over to rest her chin on Mason’s shoulder blade, untangling her hand from his in the process so she could trace random patterns between his freckles.

“Happy now?” Mason asked, clearly smug even with his voice muffled by the pillows.

“Mm.” She kissed a couple freckles, whisper soft, and grinned at the shudder that earned. “What was I mad about again?”

He half-rolled over to smirk at her before, reluctantly, “We gotta get moving...”

Kasey groaned and leaned a little into the kiss he offered, then grabbed for him as he slid out of bed. “Now?”

“Hey, you’re the one who wants coffee, sweetheart,” Mason retorted with a chuckle as he gathered their clothes from various corners of the room. “If you’ve changed your mind...”

She sat in the middle of the bed, blanket pooled around her hips, and actually hesitated reaching for her clothes as he tossed them at her. How badly do I really need coffee...?

He paused with his shirt halfway on and cocked a brow at her. “Shit, really?”

Kasey groaned and ran a hand down her face. “No, you’re right, we should go.” She reached for the clothes with a sigh. “’Specially since I need to find a new coffee place.” A small pulse of melancholy twisted in her chest. Sure, it was just a coffee shop, it wasn’t like watching a person age and die, and she only went there when they were in the area, but... “How the hell is anywhere s’pposed to measure up to a hundred year habit?” she muttered as she wrestled on her bra and t-shirt.

“Not like this is the first time you’ve had to do it.” Mason sat on the edge of the bed to pull on his boots.

“Thanks for the reminder,” Kasey retorted, raking hair out of her eyes. “It’s always a pain in the ass.”

She left off the other part; that every time was a glaring reminder of how impermanent everything around them was. She forgot sometimes, dealing with other supernaturals as much as they did. But then she had to find a new favorite coffee place, or one of Nate’s books tripled in value because it went out of print or became a classic, or Felix had trouble finding the jeans he liked because they’d gone out of style, and it was sharp evidence that no matter how long-standing some things were, nothing lasted forever. (Some, truth be told, she’d been glad to see go. Others she still missed.)

Mason must have pieced together her train of thought, or read it in her eyes--he was damn perceptive, and after a few centuries with someone, you got real good at reading them. “Hey.” He leaned back and kissed her, far more gently than they’d been doing a few minutes ago, if no less deeply.

Kasey carded her fingers into his hair, massaging slightly as she leaned into the kiss as well.

You’ll always have me. It was unspoken, but she still heard it loud and clear. And she knew it was true, straight down to her bones, with an intensity that made her chest tight and breath catch sometimes.

Like now. Thank you, was what she felt. I know, was what she meant. But after a shuddering gasp to catch her breath, “We really do need to go,” was what came out. She stole another emphatic kiss. “Unless you want another lecture.”

Mason growled softly and rolled his head to press more firmly against her palm, then straightened. “Rather save that for a special occasion, sweetheart,” he said with a smirk that made his meaning clear.

Kasey chuckled and shimmied into her jeans. “That’s what I figured, sunshine.” She yanked on shoes and they both grabbed jackets before heading out the door.

Mason’s arm circled behind her as they stepped into the street, his hand sliding into her back pocket. “Which way?”

Kasey grinned as she draped her arm around his shoulders and steered them left. “I think I saw a place down here that looked promising...”

The coffee place was a bust, however, much to her dismay, and they didn’t have time to track down another before meeting the team. “Least I have all the time in the world to keep looking later,” she snarked to cover her disappointment.

Mason tossed her a keen look, then nudged them into an alley to kiss her, pinning her against a wall as her hands dug into his hair. “I’m happy to fill in as pick me up til you find one,” he mumbled against her skin.

Kasey chuckled and kissed the corner of his mouth. “Careful, sunshine, I might take you up on that.”

“That’s the goal, sweetheart.” Mason leaned in for another kiss, and Kasey let herself get lost in it.

Here’s to the one habit I’ll never have to break. She smiled at the thought, warmed by knowing even when she couldn’t find coffee, she’d always have him.

#queens fic #kasey valentine #mason #kasey/mason #the wayhaven chronicles #twc

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everythingadelaidemusic · 3 years

Text

This week I found out more about the talented country music sister duo, Ella and Sienna.

Can you tell us a little history of yourselves?

We started out busking around the Adelaide Hills in 2018 and soon started gigs at our local pubs and wineries later that year. We have been performing now for three years professionally.

How did Covid change your approach to releasing music and your approach in general?

It has been really difficult for many industries and musicians/performers especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately many gigs and festivals that we were to play have been cancelled or postponed over the last two years. We have also recently been planning a trip interstate to record new music but these plans have had to be changed multiple times due to border restrictions. However, around the start of the pandemic in 2020 we started a Facebook Livestream series which went really well. We have been able to reach over 30,000 views on our live videos and support others going through tough lockdowns by sharing our music.

I am a big fan of your song “Save your Breath” can you tell me the meaning of this song?

Our debut single 'Save Your Breath' was written at the beginning of 2020 after the devastating bushfires that affected most of Australia. It's about the tragic losses suffered from the bushfires, in particular the wildlife and our local community in the Adelaide Hills. We felt it was really important to deliver the message of physically taking action to achieve change rather than just reacting with empty words.

What is your career highlight?

It's tough to narrow it down to one highlight! Our career highlights would have to be either winning the Ekka (Qld Royal Show) Country Music Festival in 2019, performing our original song 'Save Your Breath' on Main Stage at the Tamworth Country Music Festival and placing 2nd in battle of the buskers. Another moment we will never forget is when Kasey Chambers joined us onstage and sang her song 'Ain't No Little Girl' with us during the Tamworth Festival!

Where is your favourite venue in Adelaide to play?

Our favourite live music venues in Adelaide would have to be The Gov and the Murray Delta Juke Joint. We have played many times on the Gallery Stage at The Gov with our band and the atmosphere at these venues is a great vibe. We also have our first ever gig with our band at The Wheatsheaf Hotel on September 26th which is not one to miss!

Have you got an opinion on the Adelaide Music scene?

It is very interesting being an acoustic pop/country act in Adelaide as we are quite different to the rest of the music scene, however we are looking forward to playing at new city venues and hopefully joining some lineups with well-known Adelaide bands.

Who are the other Adelaide bands worth checking out?

Our bassist, Sebastian Brook also plays in a large pop/funk band called Malibu Drive. These boys are definitely worth checking out!

What are your long term and short term goals?

In the future we are really looking forward to playing more band gigs, festivals and would love to put together a small tour. We are also very keen to release new music soon!!

Finally, where can people find out more about you?

https://ellaandsiennamusic.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/ellaandsiennamusic

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3EEPuGTwFLu8FgE7Hpao78?si=6jluPjl6Tw2vKmPyfRlKpg&dl_branch=1

https://www.youtube.com/c/EllaSiennaMusic

#Spotify #piano music #australia #art #music #piano #bass #guitar #drums #singer #songwriter #duo #south australia #keyboards #country music

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bouwrites · 4 years

Text

Even Heroes Have the Right to Dream: Chapter 11

Don’t you turn like Orpheus; just stay here.

First, Previous, Next. Ao3.

Story under read-more.

“Wait, shut up, Wayne?! Like, Wayne Enterprises Wayne?!”

Jon grins nervously. “…Surprise?”

“You’re telling me tween wrath Damian, your Damian, the Damian I’ve been making fun of for months, is Damian Wayne?” Marinette shrieks, pulling at her hair. “Oh, my god. He’s a hero. The Waynes are the Gotham heroes. I’m going to- I’m going to go die now.”

Jon sighs. “I did say you’d meet him sooner rather than later.”

“And he’s on his way here?!”

“In hindsight, I should have given you more warning.” Jon admits.

“You think?!”

“In my defense, though, Damian didn’t say anything for certain until like, right now. He only said his folks were interested in you, and I figured he’d give me more info more than ten minutes before he decided to visit.”

The doorbell rings, and Marinette sends Jon a glare as she starts towards the hallway. Unbothered, he’s right on her tail. She’s quick to open the door and greet their guest but stops short when she finally gets the chance to really look at him.

The only other time she’s seen him is back when he showed up in full hero gear, and the mask coupled with Marinette’s instant response to remove herself from anything involving heroes means she didn’t get a very good look at the guy. But here, his black hair is silky and neat, his sharp features cast a striking image that matches what she knows of his personality, and this close to him, she can see the green in his eyes – a deep color that captures one’s attention.

Marinette smiles for him and introduces herself. (“I know.” He says, offering no introduction of his own until Jon pointedly clears his throat and makes it obvious that he’s not going to move out of the doorway until the formalities are met. Marinette doesn’t actually mind, but she appreciates Jon’s dedication to politeness.) Then, she backs up and gestures for Damian to enter the apartment. When he heads straight for the living room, Marinette takes the opportunity to lean close to Jon and whisper. “He’s cute. That crush makes so much more sense now.”

“Shut up!” Jon hisses. “He doesn’t know!”

Marinette hesitates and looks at Damian’s retreating back. “Generally, or about him specifically.”

Jon rolls his eyes. “Him specifically.”

Marinette giggles. “Understood. Let’s not keep him waiting.” She emerges into the living room after Damian and immediately gestures for him to make himself comfortable. “I made cookies.” She says, pointing out the plate on the coffee table. “Help yourself.”

Damian frowns suspiciously at her and the cookies for a moment before slowly reaching out to take one. He nibbles quietly on it, not offering any critique or compliment, watching as Jon and Marinette make themselves comfortable in the room as well. Jon takes the couch with Damian, but only after pulling a chair from their dining table for Marinette to sit on.

“So, Damian.” Marinette says. “Jon’s told me a lot about you.”

Damian nods. “He speaks of you often, as well. I’m sure you know why I’m here.”

“Do I?” Marinette raises her brow at Jon. “Is that something I was supposed to be told?”

Jon gives her that nervous grin he has when he knows he’s in trouble. Damian just eyes that impassively. “I suppose he didn’t tell you.”

“Hey!” Jon protests. “You didn’t tell me! You said maybe like, a month ago. How was I supposed to know what you’re planning?”

Damian, pointedly unimpressed, clicks his tongue sharply. “Miss Dupain-Cheng. I’ve been sent to represent my family in a business proposition.”

“A business proposition?” Marinette echoes, unimpressed. Business with the Waynes is a big deal, of course, and internally she’s can feel the familiar excitement and panic prick at the inside of her ribcage, but the way Damian talks, so cold and steely and unemotive, it makes it feel a lot less exciting than it should be. It sets her on edge, and paired with all the stories of young Damian she’s heard from Jon… well, business with the Waynes may be a big deal, but Marinette is already doing well. It may very well be more trouble than it’s worth if Damian isn’t significantly better than he’s appearing. (Who knows what the rest of the family is like, if this is who they send to talk to her?) “What kind?”

“A commission. My father endeavors to support up-and-coming names in many industries. Those less fortunate than us who have to work much harder to find success in business.” Excuse me? Marinette’s brows shoot to the sky as she looks Damian up and down again. It doesn’t look like he’s trying to offend, but then, rich people rarely do. It’s all veiled with people like this, always with some other goal.

When Marinette was with Adrien, she met many people who talk like this. Backhanded insults laced into self-aggrandizement meant to sound charitable. It pissed Marinette off back then, and she doesn’t much like it any more now. “Your name has recently come to his attention.” Damian continues, as if he hadn’t said anything amiss. “And he asked me to approach you, since we have a mutual friend.” Marinette crosses her arms and leans back in her chair, just waiting for him to finish. “Several of our family are hosting a Christmas gala. Would you be able to make their outfits for the event?”

Marinette shares a look with Jon, who shakes his head. She just rolls her eyes. “Depends. Are you asking me because of my work, because I’m friends with Jon, or because I’m so much ‘less fortunate’ than you?”

Damian blinks at her, lending credence to Marinette’s theory that he just legitimately doesn’t think about the words out of his mouth.

She sighs. “Normally, someone who talks to me like that would be on a block list.”

“Talks to- Like what?” Damian asks.

“Like I’m beneath them because I’m not wealthy.” She says simply.

“Hey, Marinette…” Jon interjects. “Don’t you think that’s a little far?”

Marinette shrugs. “What part of all that about how charitable and generous his family is was necessary to ask for a commission?” She keeps her voice casual, like she’s only talking to friends. It’s easy to do, even with Damian, since she already feels like they kind of are. It makes it easier to be honest up front, too. “It’s posturing, and condescending. I dated a famous rich guy for six years; I’m beyond sick of that. Plus, and I hope you’ll forgive me for saying this, Damian, I wouldn’t if we weren’t already sort of familiar with each other through Jon, but there’s something about you… you’re just so… punchable. I don’t hold it against you, but it makes you sound more condescending than I think you mean to be.”

She says it to annoy him. To test him, because she’s heard stories and she wants to know if she can really stand him. The stories are old, and she knows very well how he’s changed (from Jon’s perspective, at least) but Damian still looks severe and cold, so she’s wary. For his part, though, Damian curls his lip in a strange expression between rage, confusion, shock, and something else that looks strangely like admiration.

“Anyway,” Marinette says airily, “I feel like, given our mutual friend, you should at least give me the basic respect of talking to me like a normal person. I know this is technically the first time we’ve met, but that blatant dishonesty is really annoying, even to strangers.” Marinette rolls her eyes. “Don’t think I didn’t notice that you never actually mentioned my work. You just gave me platitudes about how great your father is and pointed out that Jon’s probably the only reason my name is on your radar. Understand why someone might take offense to that?”

Damian narrows his eyes at her. Jon chews nervously at his nails, eyes darting between the two of them. The air is tense and thick until, finally, Damian cuts through it. “Very well. I see your point.”

“Good.” Marinette says, a little surprised that he actually concedes. “Now because of our mutual friend, and because I don’t actually think you meant to offend, if you want to talk about a commission, we can.” She sighs. “I apologize if I stepped over a line. With how much Jon talks about you, I feel like I know you, if only a little.”

Damian purses his lips. “No, it’s quite alright. I should have chosen my words better. I had no intention of offending.”

“Wow!” Jon says with false cheer. “Look at that! We’re all friends, already!”

The corners of Damian’s lips twitch into what might almost be called a smile. “I see why you care so much about her. She is certainly…” His eyes find her and drill into her like he’s looking for her innermost secrets, “impressive.”

“Right?” Jon says, more relaxed this time. “I keep telling everyone she’s the coolest!”

Marinette feels her cheeks warm. “So, you’re here about a commission. A Christmas party? I assume a formal one. How many outfits?”

There’s a strange look in Damian’s eyes that Marinette can’t quite decipher, but Jon is easy to read. As they talk and conversation flows more smoothly, more like the friends they are, Jon gleams with obvious ecstasy. That his two friends are getting along is clearly cause for celebration for him. Considering it took over two years for them to reach this point, Marinette isn’t all that surprised.

As for Damian himself, Marinette thinks she actually likes him. Jon is right that he’s more mature than his old stories about the pair of them make him sound. Though, Jon is, too, so Marinette really should expect that. He’s an acquired taste, but Marinette understands why Jon is friends with him. She thinks, if Damian wants it too, she could be good friends with him as well.

Kasey finds Marinette in their Knitwear class. Marinette has to admit, she’s not too keen on spending much time with the other girl. Kasey seems like a perfectly nice girl, of course, and Jon seems to especially like her friend, but Marinette has gone two years now at FIT with barely more than acquaintances outside of Jon.

It’s never lonely, though. She tries hard to keep in touch with her friends in Paris and between calling all of them during the day (before it gets too late in Paris) and spending nearly all her evenings with Jon, and studying, of course, which she devotes the bulk of her energy to, she just doesn’t need or have time for a bunch of friends on campus. As such, she tends to treat her classmates professionally. She works to establish a relationship, but only a professional one.

It just feels wrong for now, right after her name gets recognized, to be the time her classmates suddenly invest themselves in friendship with her when they’ve been crossing paths for two years already. It feels insincere. She doesn’t trust it.

“Even if she is motivated by your fame,” Wayzz tells her, “that does not mean we should assume she is not earnest in wanting to be your friend. Perhaps the news simply drew her attention to you, and she saw someone she wanted to be friends with.”

Marinette thinks that awfully convenient for Kasey.

Unfortunately, though, or fortunately for Kasey, they start group projects, and everyone needs a partner. Kasey is the first to ask her to team up, and Marinette respects that Kasey is a good student, so she lets it happen.

As they work together on campus and at Kasey’s place (she’s roommates with both Sam and Louise, Marinette learns) Marinette struggles with a familiar feeling. Kasey is so eager and cheerful and friendly that it’s hard to imagine her having ulterior motives for befriending Marinette. She’s just so earnest that Marinette keeps forgetting she’s supposed to be wary.

In a lot of ways, it reminds Marinette of Kagami. Kasey and Kagami are obviously near polar opposites, but Marinette feels like she’s befriending Kagami again when Kasey worms her way into her friendship. It’s a strange mix of growing closer, wanting that friendship, and stubbornly telling herself that she shouldn’t accept that friendship.

With Kagami, it was because she was a rival. Kagami was a serious threat to Marinette, romance-wise. Adrien openly admits even when they’re together that he and Kagami were more than just friends before he fell in love with Marinette. Even when he was crushing on Ladybug, that was the case. And before she and Kagami became friends, Marinette didn’t think she’d ever be able to get along with her. Simply because, as love rivals, they shouldn’t.

That’s a dumb, ridiculous, middle-schooler train of thought, of course, but it was Marinette’s reality at the time. She’s embarrassed it caused her to treat Kagami with such hostility when that wasn’t necessary from the start.

With Kasey, though, Marinette just can’t convince herself of the other girl’s sincerity. A lot of people will use others just to get a step up, and a lot of them will do it with sweet smiles on their faces. Marinette knows the ones that try to use Adrien, she knows the ones that try to use Kagami, and Chloé. She’s seen her own friends attempt to do the same, albeit without malicious intentions, with Lila.

Even if Kasey is a genuinely kind and wonderful friend, she only talks to Marinette to start with because of Marinette’s fame. Will she abandon Marinette the moment she’s not helpful to her anymore? Will she push Marinette to use her connections to Kasey’s advantage? Those are questions only time can tell, but Marinette isn’t eager to even give time the chance. The answers don’t matter when the questions themselves hurt.

Despite it all, though, Kasey is legitimately so passionate about fashion, so dedicated to improving herself, and so open and friendly that Marinette starts thinking of her as a friend regardless.

“That’s so cool!” Kasey bounces on her toes behind Marinette. She isn’t silent on the approach, but even so Marinette takes a breath to calm her nerves from Kasey coming so close while her back is turned. “Are you going to make it?”

Marinette shifts so that she’s more facing Kasey and looks down at her sketchbook. “I’m thinking about it.”

“For yourself?”

Marinette looks again at the design and laughs. “Nah, leather isn’t my style.”

Kasey’s eyes glitter. “For Jon?”

“Not his style either.” Marinette says. “He’d pull it off, though.” Even if it’s just once, it might be worth putting him in a leather jacket. Or leather pants. She snickers to herself, imagining his face if she gives him leather pants. Oh, that’d be worth it. He’d just look at me like, “Is this really what you think of me?”

“Aw, that’s a shame. He’d definitely pull it off.” Kasey says, sitting down next to Marinette. “Then who would it be for?”

“A friend back home in Paris.” Marinette says. “Kagami doesn’t usually wear leather, either, so it’d still be an exploration for her, but it’d suit her better than Jon or me. I probably won’t make it, though. I can make something better.”

“I think it’s cool.” Kasey says, peering over her shoulder at the design. “What would you change?”

Marinette hums, examining the sketch as well. “If I were committing to making this for Kagami, then… I’d change the silhouette just a bit – shorten this here, bring this in tighter, maybe a belt? Yeah, I like that.” Marinette starts sketching in a corner of the page, smaller, just a rough idea to show Kasey her modifications. “And a lot of the details, like these accents here, would be altered slightly. I might even make it red, but I’d have to think more about that.”

Kasey’s jaw hangs open as she watches the new design take shape. “I would never have even thought of that.” Kasey says softly, mostly to herself.

“Well, you don’t know Kagami. I made those changes with her in mind. If you were designing for one of your friends, you’d think of things I wouldn’t, too.”

Kasey purses her lips for just a moment before she nods resolutely. “You’re right. But that’s so impressive what you can do so quickly! I like this design even better than the original! How long have you been designing?”

“Oh, since I was little.” Marinette giggles. “I used to upcycle my dolls’ clothes all the time, then I started doing it for my own clothes. What about you?”

Kasey grins a little awkwardly. “Honestly, I only got into it in high school. It started with expanding my pockets, then I realized I could make a lot of little alterations that make my clothes better, then I was tailoring my clothes, and now I’m here. Honestly, I’m a much better seamstress than designer. I thought I’d get better here at college, but I don’t think I’ll ever be as talented as you.”

Marinette pats Kasey’s arm. “Don’t be silly. You just said I’ve been designing for what sounds like several times as long as you have. I just have more experience. If you keep at it, you’ll be a brilliant designer. You’re already good.”

“You think so?” Kasey smiles openly, a friendly and earnest and happy smile that warms Marinette’s heart.

“Of course, I do. I mean, look at your dress today! You made this, right?”

Kasey gasps and stands and twirls with a giggle. “You could tell?”

“I could! And I love it! It’s so you!”

Marinette is suddenly tackled, but she just laughs along as Kasey exclaims, “You’re the best, Marinette! I’m so glad we’re friends! I can’t believe I thought you were intimidating.”

“I’m sorry,” Marinette almost chokes on air at the very thought. “You thought I was intimidating?” She stares incredulously at Kasey and gestures to her own tiny frame. “Me?”

“Yes!” Kasey keeps their arms looped together and leans into her shoulder even as she talks. “You’re always so focused in class! And when you’re working. It’s like you’re in and out, no distractions. Plus, I noticed right away how talented you are. You just always had this air of… of… ah…” Kasey frowns and taps her chin with her free hand. “Of, uh, purpose, I guess? Like you’re only here for your education, so even though I always wanted to be friends with you, I assumed you’d just brush me off.”

Marinette is a bit taken aback by Kasey’s confession. “I admit, I had no idea people saw me that way.” Marinette says, carding her fingers through her hair. “Back in Paris, I was always considered one of the most approachable ones out of my friends. To the point where it honestly sometimes got annoying because everything would always go through me even when it didn’t need to.”

Kasey giggles. “Now that I know you better, I totally understand where that comes from. You’re just the sweetest person I’ve ever met!”

Marinette fights off the embarrassment from the compliment and shakes her head. “Thanks. You’re sweet, too.”

“And then you just twist it all together, and it sort of acts like a needle, but there’s no bulky eye that gets in the way.” Jon says, leaning close to Louise on a bench, showing her something on his phone.

Louise’s eyes are wide. “And that’s a boar bristle?!”

“Yeah! Apparently, a lot of things can work. They’re not a replacement for metal needles, of course, but since you’re not actually poking the holes with the needle itself, it doesn’t need to be so firm.”

“That’s so clever! I had no idea they did that!”

“It really is very interesting.” Sam says, leaning over Jon from his other side to look. “You’re so smart, Jon. Where’d you learn this?”

Jon giggles. “YouTube. Then I did some research. I thought Louise would like it.” He nudges Louise playfully with his elbow, making her laugh loudly.

Marinette watches him fondly. She’s considered friendly, at least back in Paris. Most of her friends are more or less brought together by her. They’ve even explicitly called her the center of the large group, but when she watches Jon so effortlessly get along with people, she’s still amazed by him.

Maybe it’s because her ticket to people’s hearts is usually food and gifts, whereas he just charms their socks off with pure personality. Someone so magnetic like that is a special thing.

Marinette and Kasey are separated from the other three just a little, all together in a park at Kasey’s insistence. Marinette and Jon are both well on top of their schedules, so they find no reason to refuse. Kasey sheepishly tugs at Marinette’s sleeve and smiles. “Hey, Marinette… I wanted to talk to you about something.”

The weather getting colder only makes Kasey’s retreat into herself more pronounced as her jacket starts to swallow her. “What is it?” Marinette asks.

Kasey flushes red and twirls her hair. “Ah, well, uh… Jon. Sam is…”

Marinette glances over to the bench where Sam is leaning into Jon, respectfully not touching him, but shifted to face him and leaning forward and laughing and batting her eyelashes and… otherwise is just kind of being obvious. “She likes him?” Marinette guesses.

Kasey covers her face. “Yes. She wanted me to ask you if you’d help set them up. Just a date! See how it goes.”

Marinette sighs heavily, remembering her collège days. Never again. “Look, Kasey…”

“It’s okay! I understand. I thought you might be interested in him yourself, so I figured it was a long shot.”

Marinette frowns. Saying she’s interested in Jon doesn’t bother her, exactly – she certainly doesn’t react like teenage her would have – but it still strikes into her unexpectedly. But there’s more curious about this situation than that. “Why’re you the one asking me? If Sam wants that, she should ask me herself.”

Kasey ducks her head again. “I- I mean… Maybe, but I’m closer with you than she is. She just figured she’s got the best chance this way.”

“Does she?” Marinette purses her lips. Jon isn’t stupid. He’s smart. Maybe not the most adept when it comes to people flirting with him, but he’s not completely clueless. “Weren’t you pretty interested in him when we met?”

Kasey flushes a brilliant crimson and hides once more. “I- well, I- uh… Sam likes him. I’m not going to get in the way.”

Marinette watches the three, entertained a little by how Sam tries to capture Jon’s attention. Unfortunately for her, when he is focused on her he’s just perfectly friendly and polite as always. Hilariously, it’s when he’s focused on Louise that he actually looks engaged and interested. Marinette can see even from some distance away how frustrated Sam is getting from his behavior.

Internally, Marinette tenses and promises to herself to keep watching closely. If Sam escalates out of frustration and crosses the line past Jon’s boundaries, Marinette will step in. She knows Jon can handle himself, but even if she’s not a hero, even if she won’t ever throw another punch in her life, she’s still a guardian. She’s still a protector, and Jon is her best friend. Even just watching this has Marinette itching to go insert herself between the two, to give Jon some distance from her. He’s not overtly uncomfortable, which is why Marinette doesn’t do so, but he’s clearly not interested. Marinette hopes Sam gets the hint.

Frankly, based on this image alone, Marinette will sooner help set Jon up with Kasey than Sam. Though, in her defense, Sam is still respectful about how she flirts, even if she doesn’t back off. Marinette can respect it; she’s not told to back off, after all. Marinette just doesn’t respect it enough to set up her best friend with someone whose advances he’s so obviously unreceptive to.

“Doesn’t look like there’s anything to get in the way of to me.” Marinette says calmly.

Kasey squeaks. “Sam would be angry with me if I tried to make a move. I can’t do that to her.”

Marinette shrugs. That’s Kasey’s decision, ultimately. Marinette isn’t going to encourage more girls to flirt with Jon regardless, since he openly admits to not being interested in a relationship in the first place. Plus, Marinette does understand Kasey’s position. It’s like Marinette and Kagami, back in the day, vying for Adrien’s love. Kagami couldn’t give up despite wanting to stay friends with Marinette, and Marinette felt the same way.

Luckily for them both, Marinette won in the end, and Kagami is no sore loser. They are still great friends to this day because they didn’t let that battle get between them or let themselves get angry at the other. Marinette still looks back on that, occasionally, and wonders if she would have been so graceful had she been the loser. At the time, Marinette has to admit she probably would not have. She likes to think she and Kagami would still be friends in that alternate universe, but the truth of the matter is that she just can’t be sure. Marinette was young then. Young and stupid with love, and that made her do some things she’s still ashamed of.

If Sam really will get angry at Kasey, then Marinette thinks that’s a mark on Sam, and not a mark of a good friend. They’re not kids barely old enough for romance, they’re in their early twenties. A true friend, like Kagami, competes and accepts a loss with grace, not forces their friend out of the competition to start with. It is complicated, though, and Kasey’s decision is a respectable one, too. If it’s done out of concern for Sam, and not out of fear of Sam’s anger.

Though for a normal person, one who has not been through everything Marinette and Jon have, perhaps fear of anger is respectable, too. Marinette decides to be patient with that.

Something about Sam ticks the wrong boxes for Marinette. She’s respectable, refined, and nice enough, and she’s never given Marinette reason not to trust her, even if she can be a bit nosy and forward at times, but even so she rubs Marinette the wrong way. Kasey and Louise don’t, just Sam, which is odd, since Marinette would expect that any malintent would be group wide.

Unless… No. Marinette shuts down that train of thought quickly. She refuses to theorize about how her friends will stab her in the back. She refuses to see enemies in every shadow. That’s not her life anymore.

She’s just paranoid. Remnants from her days as a hero. Still, she’s got a close eye on Sam. Paranoia may be bad, but caution is the only reason she’s still alive. And Sam is still flirting with Jon.

“I can tell her you’re interested in him, though.” Kasey says quietly. “I’m not sure she’ll back off, but she might. It’s pretty clear that he’s most interested in you.”

Marinette just laughs at the very idea. “No offense, Kasey, but I’m not interested in schoolyard drama. Jon and I aren’t a thing, and even if we were,” she looks pointedly to the three on the bench once more, “I’m not threatened by her. Last time I dealt with dumb love drama like this was, god, over eight years ago. I like to think I’m more mature now.”

Kasey looks between her and Sam with thinly veiled shock for a moment before she sighs. “I guess you’re right. It’s silly to fight over a boy, isn’t it?”

“Definitely. Never let a boy come between you and your friends.” Marinette nudges Kasey, smiling. “I learned that way back then. That time I mentioned. My rival at the time was also my friend, and even though the boy we liked ended up choosing me, she never once let it come between us. I was more awkward about it. That’s an example I want to follow.”

“Me too!” Kasey exclaims. “She sounds like a really cool girl!”

“Oh, she is. You’d like her. We’re still great friends.”

“Now I want to meet her!”

The two share a laugh and a connection that convinces Marinette a little more that Kasey really is alright. She actually seems embarrassed to have been focusing so much on all of them liking Jon and Marinette knows simply from how she’s stepping back for Sam that she’s not the type of girl to prioritize a crush over her friendships. It’s reassuring.

It’s also self-sacrificing, which itches under Marinette’s skin like a mosquito. It’s Kasey’s cross to bear, though. None of Marinette’s business.

“Nah, Marinette’s a much better cook than me. Right, Marinette?”

Marinette comes closer to Jon and the others again when he calls out to her. “I’m a better baker, but you’re no slouch for cooking.”

“I didn’t say I was bad.” Jon rolls his eyes. “I’m saying you’re better!”

Marinette laughs. “I’m not going to agree with you, you know. You’ve gotten a lot better since we met.”

“Because you taught me!” Jon insists.

Shaking her head, she ruffles his hair. “Don’t let this goofball be modest.” She says to Sam and Louise. “He’s an awesome cook.”

Jon pouts, frowning up at her through his disheveled bangs.

Marinette winks at him. “What? You may not be able to measure to save your life, but you’ve got good taste.”

“I can measure just fine if I’m not using your weird scale! You’re the one that insists on European recipes.”

“It’s literally two buttons, Jon. It’s not difficult to use.”

“It’s the principle of the matter!” Jon sticks his tongue out at her. “I have to represent my country!”

Marinette dramatically raises her head to the sky and sighs, “Americans.”

Jon starts giggling uncontrollably, which sets all the girls off as well. When that dies down, though, Sam asks, “So what is Paris like? It’s one of the fashion capitals of the world, you must have had so much inspiration.”

Marinette hums in agreement. “I was there during all the Hawk Moth business, not sure how well known that is outside Paris…”

“I know it.” Sam says, eyes turning soft. “I try to keep up with Paris for the fashion, and it came up a few times.”

“Right. The city itself is beautiful, and I have a lot of great memories there, but overall, it’s pretty much like living anywhere else. At least, New York. I do miss the architecture, though, but the big city is the big city. Now, country boy Jon might have some different tales to tell.”

Jon laughs. “I think I told you this our first year, but everything’s so noisy here. Like do New Yorkers ever shut up?”

Sam snorts. “Not a chance.”

He rolls his eyes. “Only thing I really miss is the stars, though. When you’re out in the country, you can actually see the galaxy. It’s amazing.”

“That sounds beautiful.” Sam says, leaning close to him again.

“It is! I like to sit in this tree on the farm and just look out at the stars. Oh, Marinette! You should totally come visit one of these days! You’ll love it there!”

Sam makes a face, but Marinette just laughs. “It sounds nice, but I don’t get much time back in Paris as it is. My friends would be mad at you if you dragged me away during break, too.”

“Hey, if it means I get you for longer then they can just be jealous.”

Despite herself, Marinette blushes at the comment. Sometimes Jon just says the cutest things without even thinking about it. “You’d love Paris, too, you know.” She says. “The history there is all in the architecture. I can already see you geeking out.”

Jon gasps. “Is that an invitation? Can I come to Paris?”

Marinette sighs because she knows if he really wants to go, he can just fly there. It’s not so simple or quick as hopping over to Metropolis or anything, but it’d still be faster than a plane and Jon wouldn’t have to pay for airfare. It’s surprisingly reasonable for Jon to visit her during the holiday. And on her part, she supposes she does have access to the horse Miraculous if she really wants to. So, she humors him. “Maybe someday we’ll have a little exchange. It would be cool to see your farm.”

Jon grins from ear to ear and just about squeals. “You agreed! No takebacksies! This is going to be awesome!”

——-=——-

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