#the song is also very catchy i think everybody should hear it

[lock-my-feelings-in-a-jar]

Written by Russ Ballard

#fugitive #fugitive band #raised on rock 2.0 #2023 #2024 #written by russ ballard #SO THIS ONE #i don't think this band is very big yet #but the video description #it says russ reached out TO THEM #after hearing them on youtube #and wanted to work with them despite being so busy already #which i think is adorable of him to want to help #AND HE'S IN THE VIDEO LOOK HOW CUTE HE IS #also the lyrics #'we were raised on rock #we were raised on radio #not tiktok' #i love that #same though i was literally raised on radio i didn't HAVE anything else #not even a tv #can relate #i should gif this video #the song is also very catchy i think everybody should hear it

[numetalpuppygirl]

what i'm listening to 7/6/2023 (song notes under cut)

spot. link//yt link

Laura Les - Haunted: haunted. by laura les.

Radiohead - Hunting Bears: have you guys noticed that i like amnesiac. links to this post. this is one of the best album interludes of all time

Tallah - No One Should Read This: HRHGGHRHGHHH. fucking crunchyyyy this is one of my favorite albums ever. it's corny as fuck but also really dark and heavy and just ahhhh i love it and this is such a good opener. despite any of the band's faults i will always be a shill for this album. i was talking to violet (hi violet heheh oops i dropped this) about the album a little bit and i decided i simply had to include this bc well frankly i'm jamming to it as i type this :3

Cypress Hill - I Ain't Goin' Out Like That: there's a lot of 90sishness going on in this list. lovvve cypress hill and this whole album. the hook is super catchy but also kind of ridiculous, and there's so many good lines. if you dig harder rap stuff definitely give black sunday a spin, i think it might have been one of the first rap albums i ever bought a physical copy of

Polaris - The Remedy: okay i've been going through my whole giant playlist on account of this business, so it's only fitting that i feature the song that's at the very tippity top of the thang. polaris is a damn solid progressive metalcore type band, and i remember when they broke out in 2017/18 with this album everybody in the scene was talking about them as rising stars. they didn't disappoint, imo, bc the album that came after that was pretty solid too. they did get a lot of comparisons to architects, who are much more seasoned in the scene, and i definitely hear it: the pitchy false chord screams, the djenty riffs, big but not poppy choruses. BUT i think two things worked out for them in that regard. one was that architects were white hot around that time because they put out holy hell, which was very well-regarded (because it good), so it wasn't too bad a thing to be compared to them. the other was that after holy hell dropped, wage war put out a single (low) that had basically the same riff as the architects' big single (doomsday). so they kinda caught all the shit on that one lol. ah the old days (<does not miss this time period)

Girls Rituals - Babe of the Abyss: ummmm.hi 😳

Bloodhound Gang - The Bad Touch: stupid dumb dumb dummy dumb stupid ass blppppt dumbass fuckin song. it's kinda awesome though. a large part of my interest in this one is to do with its pertinence to rap rock, or rather, its lack of pertinence. in my obsession with the timeline of rap rock, i like to be able to sort as much as possible into neat little categories. east coast hip hop, funk metal, nu metal, emo rap, etc. but what's also interesting is when something comes along that doesn't fit any trend at all. it's a total anomaly, a hit only on its own merits, whether those merits are musical strength or just being weird as fuck. in this case, it's definitely a bit of both. the bad touch isn't even really much of a rock song, it sounds more like dance beats, but the bloodhound gang are a rock band, and regardless you can tell just by listening to it which side of the music sphere they originate from. ughhh fascinating fascinating fascinating. and gross, if you listen to it. but mostly fascinating. 1999 babey. and that's the other thing - this was the age of nu metal. this isn't a nu metal song, but one has to wonder how much it was helped by the normalization of crossovers between rock and rap that nu metal was creating. okay moving on

Snoop Dogg - Gin and Juice: more 90s! but in this case? idk what you want me to say. it's fuckin gin and juice. no-one is immune to the d-o-double-g

Epic Rap Battles of History - Alexander the Great vs Ivan the Terrible: come onnnn you knew i was gonna put some erb on here i feel like i've been mentioning them all month. this is a real good battle, very catchy. the first two verses from pete and zach, respectively, are definitely my favorites, and indeed alexander the great might be my favorite zach sherwin performance on erb. but the flute on the beat for frederick the great's part is a lot of fun, and catherine the great's verse is catchy as well. just overall solid and easy to rewatch. please save me from epic rap battle hell i am trapped here and they won't let me out until i recite every erb bar in chronological order

Vylet Pony - Constellation Cradle: vylet pony good. reallll good. this was one of those songs that i had heard however many times and been like yeah cool song :) and then at some point recently heard again and for some reason it just like. hit right. it had the right crunch. i was feeling it. i was loving it. i was chewing on it. vylet pony good

Bob Marley & The Wailers - Is This Love: another simple case of "heard it on the radio, got stuck in my head." at the same time, it's representative of the fact that i want to know more about reggae, considering my current knowledge of it is effectively 0. so what better place to start than the name that most people outside the reggae sphere most associate with the genre? so many good hits from bob marley, as we likely all know

Pearl Jam - Even Flow: pearl jam good idc. not my favorite of their songs but probably the catchiest. moving swiftly onward

Twenty One Pilots - Implicit Demand For Proof: i was inspired to revisit some of my favorite tracks from a formerly beloved band to me. despite the many issues one could take with their first album, that's the one i would feel most confident in standing up for. and, since i'm an opening track kinda girl, this one hit for me the most. iiii knowwww you're not a liar, and i knowwww you could set fire this dayyyyy. idk. definitely a christian song but like, not in the sense that we all kind of agree is shit. like it's a christian song but it's still actually a SONG, that's. ABOUT THINGS. just give it a shot maybe, if you like kinda indie rock. or don't. i can't tell you what to do i'm just a bunch of text on a screen

Beastie Boys - Intergalactic: did you guys notice that i like the beastie boys. like with even flow, this isn't my favorite beasties song but it's the one that's stuck in my head this month. and it is a damn good hit! some classic lines in here. look at this post

Zombie Girl - Creepy Crawler: i don't know shit about this song or artist!! this was an everynoise.com find on uhhh industrial metal i think. it sounds good :)

Steve Miller Band - Take The Money And Run: i'm so obsessed with that trainwreckords episode on run-d.m.c. i literally have just absorbed every song that todd even mentions in the video. i won't put that episode in the youtube playlist like i did last week but if you haven't watched it you should still do that

Epic Rap Battles of History - Donald Trump vs Hillary Clinton: i know. i know. i know. stop looking at me like that. i know. i know, okay? i do. i'm sorry. but it's true. there's a lot of good lines and (more importantly) very catchy parts in this one too and i find myself bopping my head to them while i'm in the shower or whatever. if you don't like it, you should have saved me from the pit when you had the chance

Vanilla Ice - Rollin' In My 5.0: the ice-man just dropped a live video for this a little while ago so it's been on my mind. it's mostly interesting for two reasons. number 1 is that it's our only real insight into what vanilla ice album two might have been like if not for the rapid shift of popular trends. number 2 is that it has been deemed significant enough to be counted in the handful of songs that keep vanilla's music alive, despite being unknown to most people. i'm initerested in the idea of like a vanilla ice canon of Songs That Matter, and it contains like, ice ice baby (obviously), play that funky music, ninja rap, i love you, cool as ice, and so on. but there are just some more odd additions to that, and 5.0 is one of those

rawr - If Peppa Pig was a RAPPER: can i ask you guys for a favor. like, i realize that this list has 19 songs on it one way or another, bc that's the number of songs i use for every WILT. but can we all agree that this time, there's only 18 songs that are *formally* in the WILT, and this youtube-exclusive is like. a bonus track? great thanks. love you. anyways, have you noticed how these days youtube seems to recommend random 10-view videos that have just been uploaded? idk what's up with that, but that's how i found rawr, and frankly i've been having a blast with their videos. weird, silly little songs about wanting to marry various cartoon fathers or popular characters as rappers. this one is the latter, but honestly all of the ones i've listened to have overcome me with a feverish humor. it's not very tumblr humor imo but ultimately idek if my enjoyment of these could be described as comparable to finding them "funny." i just think it's beautiful that a channel with very little attention on it is uploading these ridiculous songs just for fun. just something to do. we could all take a lesson from this. or maybe not idk. i need to post this now good god

#*char noises* #talking pop #gwwerrwwfghhh egh

[power-chords]

@elicash tagged me to post five songs I'm really into at the moment and to tag five people :) TY Chico!

"Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac, a band whose output I don't particularly care for in its totality, but whose bangers will send any normal human being with ears and a soul into dopaminergic orbit. I have been revisiting this song for reasons that shall not be disclosed but this is one of those tracks where if every hair on your body doesn't stand on end when you hear it I just assume you're a psychopath. Everything about it is pop perfection but the drums especially are so interesting to me, Lindsay Buckingham's solo is fucking nuts, I could go on forever.

"Speechless" by Lady Gaga, hands down my favorite Gaga song of all time, the Daddy Issues Song, the plea to a self-destructive father disguised as a ballad addressed to a lover, Stefani Germanotta conclusively affirming that she is also a Paul Guy like yours truly (and a Freddie Guy, and a Burt Guy, and an Elton Guy), pure unrepentant schlock that I should hate on paper, that should make me see Billy Joel bottle of red, and yet it's so clever and poignant and shatteringly, nakedly honest it clobbers me in the gut and brings tears to my eyes. Everybody else go home! Get the fuck out!

"Run Now" by Tommy Keene, god rest his soul, one of the greatest power pop composers and guitarists of all time, responsible for the most infectiously catchy and yet achingly brutal song about being a closeted gay man.

"Always A Friend" by Alejandro Escovedo, possibly my favorite love song in the history of ever. It's so good even Springsteen's obsessed and wishes he wrote it. It's got the magic to turn any frown upside-down, guaranteed.

"A Long Time Away" by Shearwater, STILL, after like six months. I think this one is going to be at the very top of my Spotify Wrapped at the end of the year. It's like Coldplay for chicks who dig Michael Mann movies, I.E. the only Coldplay I can tolerate.

I tag whoever else scrolls by this and wants to do it!

#ask memes #music

[hello-nichya-here]

Favorite Måneskin song?

HOW DARE YOU DO THIS TO ME? Do you have any idea how much I love this band and their songs? DO YOU? You really think I won’t make this a top 10 just to have an excuse to praise more than one? You really think it didn’t quick turn into a top 20? And then a top 25? You really think I didn’t spend three days working on this reply and am still unhappy with it because it didn’t do the band any justice?

25 - Chosen

The lyrics are not all that special, and even though Damiano shines in it as he does in everything, it doesn’t compare to how great his voice is in other tracks... but dear lord, the band is fucking great in it, especially Thomas. Immaculate guittar riffs. 

24 - Lividi Sui Gomiti

Whenever I hear this song, it is the very definition of “Better than I remembered.” The chorus is catchy as fuck, I love the beginning and end of it, and Victoria shows exactly why she is THE perfect choice to play the bass. Plus, angry Damiano telling the world to fuck off and let him do his thing is always a win.

23 - Somebody Told Me

As much as I enjoyed seeing their performances on X Factor, plenty of them suffered from the “reality show effect”, in which you watch it, lose your shit over how good it is, and then never think about it again because it only works in the context of “I hope they win this thing.” This version did NOT suffer from that. At all. The band grabbed this song and made it their bitch.

22 - Bury A Friend

Yet another cover that they absolutely fucking owned. As a Billie Eillish fan, it annoys me when people just take her songs, do literally nothing with it except sing faster and louder, and think their work is done. Maneskin actually put in the fucking effort to find a way to add their own twist to the song while also showing that they clearly understand what is so great about the original version. I may or may not smile like a crazy person when Ethan starts playing the shit out of the drums and shows us what this version will be like.

21 - Niente Da Dire

I just fucking love singing along to this one. It’s fun, simple, and the lyrics are pretty damn good. 

20 - In Nome Del Padre

Damiano sings that the world and stage are not enough for him, AS HE FUCKING SHOULD! This song just has a way of truly making me feel as if I am seeing all the things the band went through to get to were they are. Also I am not sure it is legal for anything to sound as good as the end of this song with Thomas just going fucking feral.

19 - Supermodel

Like most of the Maneskin fans, I didn’t care for this song when it was released. It didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either. The studio version feels like it really muted the band, and left just Damiano’s vocals - good, but come on, we need the whole thing. Then they performed it live and even made an acoustic version and everything fell into place. Thank God we got to hear the amazing song that was hiding behind some very generic production.

18 - Ventanni

One of Damiano’s best lyrics, combined with one of the band’s best instrumental AND one of their best videos. I am surprised it wasn’t even higher on the list and I am the one making the damned thing!

17 - Amandoti

Maneskin REALLY has a thing for just making great covers. I know everybody loves the version they did with their mentor, but I personally prefer the one with Damiano singing by himself. But he is not the one who makes the song so great for me. The wat Ethan will barely touch the drumset in some moments, and then suddenly go for it, like a bomb finally going off, and Vic and Thomas jump in and turn it up to eleven... oh man, it is pure magic.

16 - Immortale

Another one that is just so fun to listen to and sing along. It’s just a great duet and whenever I hear it, I just HAVE to listen a second time. And a third. And a fourth, and fifth, and sixth...

15 - Beggin

As much as I understand that it is super unfair that this became their most well known song despite not fully representing what the band can do and over-play having really killed the song for some people, and even for myself a few times... there’s a reason this is the biggest hit. It’s just great track that keeps on getting better the more it goes on, to the point that even though it can be repetitive, I’m disappointed when it ends. 

14 - L’altra Dimensione

Okay, okay, OKAY, who allowed Damiano to have such a great voice? How can he show more emotion just singing “Marlena” over and over again than many artists can in an entire album? Who gave him the right write a track that works perfectly as a celebration of freedom and art AND as an excellent declaration of love? 

13 - For Your Love

Once again, Thomas, Victoria and Ethan just go all out, the costant change in tempo lets them show how versatile they are - I was not surprised to hear Thomas say this was his favorite song. But this time, they don’t steal the show, because everytime Damiano gets to last verse of every part of the song, my jaw hits the floor. The lyrics are so simple, but the way he sings them makes it a thousand times more beautiful

12 - Le Parole Lontane

Not to sound like a broken record, but holy shit, Damiano! He really makes the listener understand his longing for his muse - even the ones that don’t speak a word of italian and never looked up the translation. The anguish is so visceral, and the last verse always gave me the impression that it wasn’t that he stopped singing because the song was over, but because he couldn’t go on.

11 - Lasciame Stare

At first, I didn’t like this song. I thought of it as the weakest on the album, and often skipped it. Then one day, right the fuck out of nowhere, whatever it was that kept me from liking it just disappeared, and I listened to it 50 times in a row, and every now and then I just find myself with that damn chorus stuck in my head and there is NOTHING I can do to get it out when that happens.

10 - Un Temporale

This is one of their best covers and genuinely one of the best songs I’ve ever heard, and I am fucking FURIOUS that I can either listen to a extremelly short version with good quality by seeing their performance on X Factor or get the full thing in video some fan recorded with their phone. JUST FUCKING MAKE AN OFFICIAL VERSION AND RELEASE IT, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!

09 - Mammamia

Damiano being a petty, horny brat, Thomas going off, and Vic and Ethan making me stomp my foot to the rhythym of this great track every single time I hear it... what is there not to love? All that’s missing is a performance with Damiano singing it in a stripper pole.

08 - I Wanna Be Your Slave

The first Maneskin song I ever heard. I was instantly hooked. Insanely catching, unbelievably horny, and the lyrics are a mood. I love the way Damiano shouts, whispers and just straight up moans while singing, and seeing Vic just vibe to the song while playing the bass is great. The video for it is also my favorite and that gave it a lot of extra points. 

07 - Moriro Da Re

I looooove the lyrics in this one so fucking much, especially because, once again, Damiano managed to make it a perfect love song AND a celebration of his ideals and goals. I can’t help but get slowly (or not so slowly) unhinged when it gets to “Marlena, vinci la sera” and he sings it over and over.

06 - La Paura Del Buio

Probably my favorite chorus and ending in any of their tracks, and it fucking blew my mind the first time I heard it - and the millionth time as well. Watching live performances of it makes it hit even harder. Damiano was born to be a front-man and seeing Thomas, Vic and Ethan giving it their all is the coolest fucking thing ever.

05 - If I Can Dream

I thought over and over again about how to explain why I love this cover so much, but honestly all I can say is that it makes me incredibly emotional and it is a delight whenever I hear it.

04 - Vengo Dalla Luna

The fact that they don’t sing this song in every single show is a fucking crime. It is the best cover they ever made - so good that I have to keep reminding myself that this isn’t an original of the band, because it suits them ridiculously well. The sheer raw power in every second of the track is incredible.

03 - Torna A Casa

This one is, heart-breaking, heart-warming, hopeful, desperate, pure passion and a desperate cry of pain all at the same time, and it’s on the top 2 best Maneskin lyrics. I absolutely adore it and if I ever have the luck to see them live and they play this song, I might straight up die on the spot.

02 - Coraline

This one is, without a doubt, THE most depressing Maneskin song. It is also one of the most beautiful they ever made, and the best Damiano ever wrote. The way it starts so slow and simple, Ethan jumping in to make the song come alive, Thomas’s solo, the devastating end... It’s no surprise that the fans love this one so fucking much.

01 - Zitti E Buoni

Behold! THE perfect Maneskin song. We got bass, drum, and guittar solos, Damiano rapping, amazing lyrics, and an iconic performance at eurovision. I Wanna Be Your Slave was the one made me like the band, but this was the one that made me absolute love them, and I adore it just as much as I did when I first heard it. I’m not sure they’ll ever top this one - and it is so fucking great that they don’t even need to.

Anyways, anon, I hope you have learned your lesson: don’t ask the bisexual to choose.

#asks #maneskin #damiano david #victoria de angelis #thomas raggi #ethan torchio #long post

[queer-cosette]

1, 21 and 23 for the ask game :D

1: A song you like with a colour in the title

Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra! It's just so cheerful, I remember hearing it for the first time in the Magic Roundabout movie (a truly nonsensical yet incredibly enjoyable plot starring Robbie Williams of all people) and it just. Makes me happy <3

21: A favourite song with a person’s name in the title

Stacy's Mom by Fountains of Wayne! I also love that people have done response covers like Stacy's Dad, Stacy's Brother, Stacy's Sister... Poor Stacy. AUFAB (assigned unfuckable at birth).

23: A song that you think everybody should listen to

Just One Of The Guys by Jenny Lewis! For one thing, it's insanely catchy. For another, the music video features Kristen Stewart, Anne Hathaway, and Brie Larson dressed as men in a way that would not be sexy on a man, but is very very attractive on them.

Thank you <3<3<3

#lovely people #tag games #vampiredraws

[hellothere-generalangsty]

The Bad Batch - Quart d’Heure Américain

Summary: In French, we use the expression “quart d’heure Américain” (lit. “American quarter”; I think it’s “Lady’s choice” in English) to talk about that moment during an evening out/ a party where they play slows and couples dance together (very sweet and romantic, yes)

So here is the Quart d’Heure Américain, Bad Batch Edition™

Pairing: Crosshair x reader; Echo x reader; Hunter x reader; Tech x reader; Wrecker x reader; the Bad Batch x reader

Reader description:  f!reader [she/her], no real physical description

Word Count: 5463 words

CW/ TW: Nothing, just pure fluff and cute relationships (some established, one not quite yet) also there’s a LIL BIT of someone being sad/ a LIL BIT in pain BUT promise it doesn’t last and it gets all soft

Tags: @loth-wolffe @m-o-o-n-s-g-o-o-n-s @allamarisss

@imalovernotahater @murdertoothpick (if you want to be added to the tag list for future stories/ if you want to be removed and not tagged again, please let me know! )

Notes: This is for you all, because you deserve it and I hope it’ll sooth whatever you need soothed; and here is a quote that quite grasp the concept of this small fic

“Quand je danse, je danse” –Montaigne (“when I dance, I dance”; enjoy the moment and don’t think about anything else)

Crosshair: Something Stupid – Nancy Sinatra, Frank Sinatra (1177 words)

Had someone asked you beforehand, you never would have been able to tell that Crosshair was an amazing dancer. You didn’t expected him to invite you out that night, especially not when everyone in town was speaking about this Dancing Night. But he did, and now he was next to you, moving like he had done it all his life.

“You’re doing great, mesh’la,” he complimented as you tripped on your feet.

“I already told you,” you nodded a thank you when he helped you get back up, “I don’t understand Mando’a.”

Well, you did, but only a few words. You grew used to them, because Crosshair would use them all the time when speaking to you, but never once did he told you what they meant. So you did what every logical person would have done, and asked Tech.

“Well, mesh’la could be translated to ‘beautiful’, and cyare to something like ‘love’ or ‘my heart’. Why you asking?”

“I heard that on the radio, in a song once and I just wanted to know what it meant. Thanks Tech!”

And you had left him as soon as he was done explaining their meaning to you, because the more you stayed here, the more he could guess why you really asked. But you didn’t want Crosshair to stop calling you mesh’la or cyare. It sounded so peculiar when he would whisper it close to your ear as he would walk behind you; “out of my way mesh’la”, “you truly are a lost cause, cyare”. It wasn’t really a lie not to tell him you knew; more of a covered truth.

The song changed and went from a catchy tone to a slower, more sensual one. Crosshair waited for you to come to him before gently grasping your waist, a hand holding your own, fingers folded around yours. He pulled you closer, so close you could feel his chest moving according to his breath. You looked straight at him, trying to decipher his expression, to find any feeling uncovered behind those bewitching whisky eyes.

“Are you scanning me?” he softly asked.

“Maybe.” you confessed. “I want to know what’s going on behind this pretty face.”

It slipped out. You didn’t mean to say that; yes, he had a pretty face, yes you meant it, but-

“I think, about you mostly.”

Ho.

“You’re…pretty.” He sharply nodded, as a way to keep up his facade. You almost tripped over again, so taken aback by his little confession.

“Sorry,” you muttered, “sorry, I- that’s very… very kind of you to say.”

He didn’t say anything, but the grip on your waist tightened. You decided to try it, and slowly came to rest your head on his chest. You could hear his heart beating, muffled by the layers of skin and cloth. You felt a cold spot on your waist, and a hand brushing your hair off of your face, tucking them behind your ear before resting on your shoulder.

You couldn’t yet guess it, but he was craving for more, he wanted you closer to him, wanted to bury his face in your neck, hum your scent and kiss you all the way to your jawline, your cheek, the tip of your nose; and your lips.

But never once did he flinch, or let out any sign of his heart bleeding to feel you so close, yet so out of reach. Instead he held you there, slowly leading the dance, almost silently telling you to “move left, come back to me, and left again; great job mesh’la”.

He couldn’t yet guess it, but you were craving for more. More Mando’a’s nicknames, more gentle touch on your face and body, maybe a bit of appreciation in his eyes, a bit of love on his mouth.

And you thought you could hold on, spend the night glued to his body, feeling the warmth of his embrace, the delicacy of his moves; and still be able to pull out a straight face, to pretend mesh’la and cyare were unknown words to you, that your heart wasn’t racing at the sole thought of getting more.

But you didn’t.

“Ni kar’tayl gar darasuum”.

It slipped out tenderly, purposefully. And this time, he almost tripped on his feet.

“What did you say?”

You raised your head, taking a small step back to look at him in the eyes.

“I said I love you, but I guess my accent sucks a bit. I- I asked Tech about it last time.” You confessed in a small voice.

Crosshair couldn’t even speak anymore. He completely stopped moving, staring at you like you were the only one here, with him.

“Look, we can just…forget about it if yo-”

“Shut up.”

Your eyes widened at the command, and nothing could have prepared you to the devastatingly exquisite sensation of his lips brushing against yours before completely diving in. Nothing could compare to the fire in your belly, to the sweet bite on your lower lip, his teeth briefly pulling on it before letting go; and the overwhelming sensation filling your mouth as his tongue caressed yours in a heated, terribly slow kiss.

None of you could pull away; if he tried to release your lips, you would dive right back in, and if you gasped for air he would barely give you time to breathe before coming back to you. He couldn’t resist the urge to hold you tight in his arms, and you were too afraid of letting go so you firmly held his face against yours.

You felt his weight shifting to the left, then to the right, and once again you followed his lead. You felt it, the uncontrollable grin against your mouth, and the way he spin round with you, making sure no one else but you existed in that moment.

When you finally let go of each other, you were both heavily breathing, and a mutual stare was enough to get you both chuckling like kids.

Yes, you loved him, with all of your heart and soul, and you would gladly learn more Mando’a if it got you that type of enthusiastic reaction every time you did so.

“Your accent is actually quite cute,” he managed to tell you, and your smile only grew wider, and his eyes only got lovelier. “But maybe you should say it again, just in case it was luck.”

“I sure will, but I think I need you to tell me; how do you say it, again?”

He shook his head, both defeated and amused.

“Ni kar’tayl gar darasuum.”

“Ni kar’tayl gar darasuum”, you repeated, and he nodded in approval. “I think I won this round.”

“You did.”

He grabbed your arms and pulled you closer, leaving small misses on your forehead, your cheeks, your nose, and your lips. The song was over; it had been for a few minutes now; but you didn’t care. Crosshair was still dancing with you, his hands on your back, a smile on his face; and maker he was even more handsome when he smiled. You had him, and he had you, and you were glad you said something as stupid and childish, and sincere and deep as this.

I love you.

.

.

.

.

.

 Echo: Everybody Loves Somebody – Dean Martin (1168 words)

“Alright, open your eyes.”

Echo’s voice tickled your ear, making you smile. Your eyes had no trouble getting used to the light outside; it was dusk already, and a small campfire was gently crackling a few meters away from the Havoc Marauder. Earlier that day, you made a stop on an isolated planet to get some supplies and land foot for the night. It was a quiet place, mostly villages and beautiful landscapes, covered in grass, moss, and flowers like you’d never seen before.

Echo asked you to wait inside, and it had been almost an hour, but now that you were standing here…

“Is it…Did you do that for me?”

“I’d dare say for us,” Echo smiled, “today is a special day for us, remember?”

Ho.

“You forgot, right?”

“Echo, I’m so sorry, I-”

“Don’t be! I kinda hoped you would, this way it could be a real surprise for you.”

You couldn’t quite tell what about him always got you flustered. Maybe the way he was fondly looking at you, or the softness in his voice when he whispered “Surprise!”, or how he left your side for a moment, bending over the blanket to grab a small package before giving it to you.

“I don’t have anything for you,” you quietly confessed.

“Take it.”

You accepted the gift, giving him another look of apology, but all you saw in his eyes was…something soft – soft and loving.

You carefully unwrapped the paper, exposing a Tooka plush, proudly wearing the colours of the Bad Batch.

“I thought it was more than time for you to have your own.” he said as he got closer to you, a smile glued to his face. “Do you like it?”

You barely nodded, too occupied trying to decipher your gift. The limbs were gracefully mixing a red and black pattern, and the symbol of the Republic’s paramedic had been carefully stitched in white, where the heart should be. You softly stroke it, the tip of your finger following the edges of the seam.

“I.. I love it,” you couldn’t help but smile at the attention. “I’ll call him Handsome Jr.”

“Whatever pleases you, love.”

You shifted you attention to Echo, the lovely grin on his face making your heart melt even more. You closed the gap between the two of you, wrapping your arms around his waist, just above his prosthetics. He held you against his chest, resting his chin on your head.

“I’ll get you something tomorrow, I’ll be up before the sun.”

“I already have everything I need, cyare.”

“Echo…,” you chuckled, “I don’t want you to get nothing. It’s an important date for us.”

“Well, if you insist…There is something you could do for me.”

“Anything, Handsome.”

He waited an instant, savouring your embrace.

“Would you dance with me? The way we did that night?”

You remembered that night. It was quite some time ago, before the Citadel. Echo invited you to the base you were both settled in for the night, on Corusant. His general gave his troopers a night off, and his first thought was to take you out on a date. You remembered the way Fives came up your office, panting, still fully armoured, and asked you to follow him. You didn’t know it at the time, but Echo and some of his brothers were taking care of decorating and preparing dinner.

You remembered the cantina being empty, except for a table with two plates and beautiful flowers in a glass way too small for them; and how every clone you had crossed path with in the hallway innocently smiled at you. They knew, obviously, but none of them made any comment, only wishing you a good night.

You remembered Echo, blacks on and slightly stylised for the occasion, offering his hand to you for a dance. And you repeated the answer you gave him that night.

“Of course, Handsome. I’d love that.”

He took a step back, looking at you intensely, falling in love all over again with the shape of your face, the light in your eyes, and the delicacy of your lips. He wanted to kiss them, so badly, but there was still something to do before that.

A static sound resonated behind you, and a voice emerged from it.

“Not that- The other one, Tech.” Echo threw a look at his brother, who was already changing the station, until he got the right one. He then barely let slip a “Pretend I don’t exist.” before disappearing inside the ship.

“Sounds familiar,” you joked, thinking about the way Fives did the same things all those years ago.

“Some things never change, right?”

You didn’t need to hear the end of the sentence; his eyes were speaking for him. He brought you closer, his prosthetic arm gently pressing your waist as his left hand held yours. The Citadel changed him, but deep down he was; and would always be, your Echo.

“You’re so beautiful, my pretty boy,” you said, stroking his cheek with your thumb. “Some things indeed never change.”

He chuckled and started moving his legs, inviting you to follow his lead. He never really had a chance to dance since he joined the Bad Batch, but tonight; tonight was all he needed. Holding you close, smelling your hair, delicately balancing you on your left, a step back, on your left, a step back…

“Your love made it worth waiting.”

You slowly raised your head until you could look at him. His eyes were shining, wet from the emotion, filled with adoration and fond memories of you both. You smiled, trying to swallow the knot forming in your throat. His hold on you was so gentle, his smile so sincere. You knew he was falling in love with you all over again. You knew, because you were too.

You let your hand slide to his neck, pushed yourself on your tiptoes until you could feel his warm breath tickling your face. He tightened his grip, pressing his lips against yours, abandoning himself in your arms, making you feel like nothing but you mattered.

His kiss was gentle, he took the time to taste you, for the first time, the hundredth, the thousandth; it didn’t matter. Even after all these years, he couldn’t get used to the softness of your lips, the warmth of your tongue, the dizziness in his head and the knots in his stomach when you were confessing, wordlessly, your love for him.

Nothing broke you apart. The sun could go down, the song could stop, but none of it mattered, because all you truly needed was each other.

“Waiting for someone like you.” you finally replied.

“Waiting for you, and only you.”

You kissed him again, taking great delight in the sensation of your pounding heart, of his tongue against yours, of his hand letting go of yours to slim on your waist, down to you hip, finding his way to the back of your pant.

He was all you ever needed.

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Hunter: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye (989 words)

“Everyone, out, let’s go.”

Hunter waved his hand toward the door, a tired, maybe a bit painful expression glued to his face. Hi brothers obeyed, knowing what it meant, and left the room in silence. You tried to copy them, because you knew Hunter was getting overwhelmed by his senses; it happened sometimes, and you knew you couldn’t sooth his pain by remaining with him. But he firmly pressed his hand against your chest.

“Not you.”

Echo closed the door behind the two of you, giving you a sympathetic look before disappearing behind the grey metal sliding. Hunter tilted his head back until it touched the cold wall behind him, letting a long sigh slip from between his lips.

“Could you turn off the light, please?” he barely whispered to you, eyes closed.

You nodded, even though he couldn’t say, and switched the light off. All that remained was the small, dim blue light above your head. Tech had it installed after a bad power cut that lasted three days. Hunted asked for the blue shade, because it was the one which was the less aggressive to his eyes. You liked it, because it nicely highlighted his features, blending his tattoo a bit more with his skin, making the marking look almost natural.

You could hear him, deeply inhaling, slowly exhaling; probably trying to sooth the pain away. After a moment, he opened his hand to you, and you gently took it, slightly stroking the skin on his palm with the tip of your thumb.

“Love you.”

You softly kissed his knuckles.

“Missed you, too.”

His voice was barely breaking the silence of the room, but you still heard him relaxing a bit more.

“Can you hug me, sweetheart?”

He couldn’t bring himself to open his eyes, even if he truly wanted to. He managed to cut off sound and light, because he wanted to focus on your touch, and your touch only. And it felt great when your arms delicately wrapped him, when your body pressed against his, holding still as you listened to his heartbeat.

“Is it okay like this?” you asked, and he nodded, a light smile on his face. “I love you too.”

He straightened up his head, blindly stroking your back, his hand getting lower and lower…

“I see what this was all about.” And the smile in your voice betrayed you, and the chuckle he let out showed you he felt a bit better.

“I just wanted some time with you, sweet thing” Hunter stated, innocent.

“Well, here I am now, pretty boy.”

He finally opened his eyes, taking a few seconds to get used to the lighting, but immediately shifting his attention to you, your face. You were another kind of beautiful; the kind he could hold against him at night when he had troubles sleeping; the kind that could sit on his lap, telling him all about your day while he stroked your hair; the kind of beautiful that he never knew he could have.

He gave you a soft kiss, humming your scent as his lips brushed yours, and you tried as hard as you could not to make it too much for him. But how could you, when he tightened his embrace, humming to you that song you liked so much, when you could feel his warm breath against the crook of your neck, and his low, slightly raspy whispering in your ear.

“From that day on, I made a vow…” a kiss on your skin, “I’ll be there when you want me…” another kiss, gentle, loving.

He pushed himself away from the wall, his head buried against you, singing to you the way you liked it, and it came naturally to you both. He balanced you one side, you came back and led him to the other side, and you kept going like this, following the low rhythm of his voice, barely giggling when he would – more or less in a dramatic and theatrical movement – bend you over like in those holomovies, pressing kisses against your neck, your jawline, crawling his way back to your mouth.

That mouth. Hunter missed it so much, the way you moved it, the softness of your lips, the warmth of your tongue, and the tight embrace as you tried to remember each curve, each spot; barely biting his lip to let you know you were here, you missed him too.

And you couldn’t help but fall in love again when he kept humming against you, when he led your hands to his lower back, a grin painting itself as they slid down the back of his pants.

“I love your heart,” he told you, lips on your skin, “the way it beats. I hear it pumping faster when I hold you, and- maker, I love it.”

He abandoned your neck for a moment, diving into your eyes like it was the first time ever, hypnotised by the blue reflection on your iris.

“I love you, the way you feel under my fingers,” he touched your face with the tip of his thumb, “the way your brush your hair over your shoulder, how you always come back to me when the lights are out and the night is still; I love you and your smile,” you granted him one, tender and oh so caring, “and your eyes, and your mouth. I love how you move your hips when you dance with me, how you crave for closeness, and how I can’t do anything but offer it to you every time, all the time.”

And you knew words couldn’t possibly offer a good answer, so you simply hummed back.

“Nothing could keep me from getting to you, baby.”

He let out a sweet laugh, kissing your nose and the top of your head, seeking for your embrace once again as you led him dancing.

“I know, sweetheart.”

And I love you for that, too.

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Tech: My Guy (Single Version) Mary Wells (1078 words)

You didn’t expected Tech to ask you out tonight. He was usually quite content living around the Marauder, but when you walked next to that clothing shop, something ticked in him. He dragged you in, told you all about the different tissues, how the colours were applied, how the stitches on this dress were obviously done by Twi’leks because you see that little knot? This is a signature from the crafters, more precisely from the members of a tribe that moved around…

You loved hearing him talking. Sometimes you would ask him a question, fully aware of the answer, simply because you were eager to hear it coming from him. And every time, without any hesitation, he would answer with as much precision as possible. He probably didn’t know it, but it was one of the reason you fell for him.

“What about this one, cyar’ika?”

“This one would fit you perfectly.” he had held the dress against your body, bending his back to get a better look at it. “The colour matches your skin tone and the shape would really highlight the curves of your hips.”

“Then I’ll take this one.” You had nodded with a smile.

And now, a few hours later, you were wearing said dress while walking to the counter of the restaurant to order another drink. As the bartender was pouring a blue liquid in a fancy glass, a man smoothly accosted you.

“Were you sculpted out of Kyber crystal? Because you sure bring some light in here.”

“Thanks, but it’s mostly because my cyare chose that dress for me,” you confessed.

“Well, he sure have good tastes,” he took a step back and pursued, “may I ask which one of these…?”

He threw a look at the tables around, and you pointed to the one where Tech was visibly waiting for you, waving when he noticed you looking at him.

“Is it…Is it him?”

“It is indeed,” you fondly smiled.

“Well, at least he got some taste in dresses and women,” he conceded, visibly surprised by his “intellectual” look. But you couldn’t care less, because he didn’t had Wrecker’s body, or Hunter’s features; but he had soft shapes and sweet lips, he knew everything there was to know, and even more, because he loved learning almost as much as he loved you.

You grabbed your drinks and started walking away, only turning around to slide a little “Glad you recognise it” before returning to your table. When you pushed his glass in front of him, Tech gently grasped your hand.

“Thank you for the drink,” he glanced at your body, a little something lightening his eyes, “and for buying that dress. You really are the prettiest.”

“I couldn’t be that pretty if I didn’t have you to tell me all about cloths, you know.”

“Love, you could wear sheets and you’d still be the most beautiful person I’d ever seen.”

You slightly bent over, bringing his hand close to your lips, kissing his knuckles as a thank you. There was a brief silence, Tech analysing every inch of your face, so focused on the curves of your lips and the shape of your eyes that he stopped talking.

And you heard it. The soft music playing in a corner of the room. When you looked behind Tech, you noticed a jukebox, and a few people dancing. You got up, pulling on Tech’s arm to drag him with you to that part of the room. He tried to protest, but the way you moved in that dress, how it fell oh so delicately on your knees… He couldn’t resist.

He grabbed your waist, offering you a soft kiss on the cheek as you started swinging in rhythm, left, right, left, right, and a turn. In a second, you were barely touching his hand, and then you were pulled against him, spinning round until you crushed in his arms.

He chuckled, bewitched by your smile, your movements, and you could tell he only had eyes for you. Truth be told, he was all you could focus on too. Nothing could take your attention off your guy, because nothing could equal his lovely smile or the soft kisses he landed on your lips every time he pulled you against him before letting you spin away in rhythm.

“Cyar’ika, tell me all about dance.” You asked, panting a bit.

“Well, you have to be more precise, because there are a lot of dances out there,” he laughed, and you felt your heart melting at the warmth of his voice.

“Then tell me about all of them. Tell me about this one,” and you wrapped your arms around his neck, breathing slowly to calm your racing heart.

“This one would be a form of slow dancing, quite far from the twists and swings you did earlier,” he confessed in your ear, making you shiver. “but initially it was a- well, it depends of the planet actually, but it was originally a ritual to make official a relationship between different people.”

“So if you danced with someone, it meant you had a certain relationship with them?”

He firmly grabbed your waist, lifting you for a few seconds as he turned round.

“Exactly, it meant you shared a profound bond with them, that you were able to get comfortable with them being very close to you…”, he let you spin away from him, “or very far.”

You proudly smiled at him, letting go of his hand and taking a step back. He understood what you intended to do and grounded himself, catching you up without any problem as you run into his arms.

“Well,” you muttered in the crook of his neck, “I don’t want to be far from you, smart boy.”

“And I don’t want you away from me, pretty girl.”

You lifted your head to look at his eyes, filled with love and appreciation. The music stopped as you filled the gap between the two of you, kissing him with the same energy you had dancing. You could feel him smiling against your lips, carrying you like you weighted nothing until you let go, sliding back onto your feet.

You kissed him once again, a gentler contact, taking your time to memorize the shape of his mouth, the soft touch of his hands on your hips, the smooth tone he used to tell you how fitting this dress was.

Yeah, nothing could compare to your guy, your Tech.

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Wrecker: You Aksed Me To Be Yours – The Tymes (972 words)

You knew the mission was rough when Wrecker struggled to give you a full smile as you entered the cockpit. He was sitting there, all alone, and your heart got tight when you heard his low “hi, mesh’la”.

“You want to talk about it?”

He refused with a shake of his head, visibly upset.

“Do you want me to leave you alone?”

“No, I want you to stay. I- I need company.”

You quietly nodded, offering your hand to him, which he held close to his heart. You kissed the top of his head, softly rubbing his check with your free hand. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting himself rest on the embrace, taking a long, deep breath.

“I’ve missed you,” he whispered, “t’was a long day without you.”

“I’m here now.”

The remark made him smile a bit, as he realised that you were indeed here with him. He pulled you closer to him to hug you, straightening in his seat so you wouldn’t have to bend too much to snuggle in his arms.

“You smell good. You always smell good, it’s amazing.”

You slightly blushed, letting out an amused sigh. Even when things went wrong, he always found something positive to comment on. People usually looked at him as the “big dummy”, but you knew how sensitive and emotionally invested he really was, under all the muscles and loud exclamations.

“Do you think we could, like…get up for a bit?” he asked, hesitant.

“Sure, everything’s fine?” You let go of his grip and helped him get up. He wrapped his arms around you, resting his forehead on your shoulder.

“Yeah, t’s’all fine,” he murmured, “I just wanted us to stand.”

You rubbed his back, slow movements tracing imaginary lines and shapes against his blacks. He let out a sigh, tired yet satisfied. You felt the upper part of his body move; slightly at first, rocking from one side to the other. When he felt you following his lead, and with the absence of any question or remarks, he marked a more regular pace in his balancing.

You started humming, lips barely touching the skin on his neck, your warm breath tickling him until a light shiver shook his back. You left kisses, here and there, still humming the song you heard on the radio earlier that day. It was a beautiful ballad, something sweet about love and closeness. You found parts of Wrecker in the lyrics, and knew you’d have to sing it to him.

It wasn’t the first time Wrecker did something like that. Usually he would do it before going to bed, or after a long time away from you. He would grip you tight, whispering soft words to your ear, telling you how much he missed you, how pretty you were, how lucky he felt to have you in his life. But this time, you wanted to make that first move.

“I see that love is there, so real and so true…”

You felt his fingers tighten, then relax. The rocking slowly turned into a dance, moving step by step, never following a precise direction. Your voice was a balm to him, healing the wounds no one could see, covering his heart with warmth and love.

He slightly let go of you, just enough to dive into your eyes, scrutinizing the details in your iris, the way light reflected on them, adding to the sparkle they usually carried. You could see how his attention shifted from your eyes to your lips, then your eyes again, and the delicacy in his silent ask. You gave him your most heartfelt smile, and he leaned toward you, kissing you in a tender, desperate way, as if something or someone would come in at any moment and rip you both away from each other.

You let his tongue meet yours, dancing the way your bodies were. His hands left your waist, raising to cup your face and pulls you even closer to him. You held his wrists, preventing him from pulling away, savouring the taste of love coming out of his mouth.

He only broke the kiss when he truly needed to breathe, deeply inhaling and exhaling. You couldn’t stop a chuckle, to which he grinned.

“I know, I know…”

“How do you expect to kiss me if you faint?”

“I don’t know!” he laughed, his nose wrinkling in such a lovely way. You could read through him like an open book, and now you just knew he was contemplating how beautiful, and soft, and delicate you were. “I don’t know, I just want you. I want to hold you, and kiss you, and dance with you all night.”

You pecked his scarred cheek, nodded in approval.

“Then let’s dance all night, and hold onto each other, and kiss you breathless.”

He relaxed the tension in his shoulders, visibly happier than when you arrived.

“Can you sing that song again? I really liked it.”

His eyes gleamed with happiness when you took back where you stopped. You couldn’t tell if you got all the lyrics right, but it didn’t matter to Wrecker. You were here, ready to spend the whole night on your feet just to make him feel better, and it was already working so well. But he never told you so, too content to hug you and kiss you and feel you.

And you, of course you knew. But you played along, because you loved him so dearly, so profoundly that you could spend every night in this cockpit, humming and swinging with him, as long as you could feel his breath on your neck, his hands stroking your hair and your back, his lips pressing against your skin, where he knew he could get a shiver from you.

“Thank you, cyar’ika.”

“Anything for you, ner Wrecker.”

Anything for you.

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I hope you guys enjoyed it; it's really not the angsty stuff I was supposed to work on (that I will do now) but I guess I just had a soft spot for the boys tonight and the songs I listened to didn't help getting over this idea!

#the bad batch fic #tbb fic #crosshair x reader #echo x reader #hunter x reader #tech x reader #wrecker x reader #the bad batch x reader #the bad batch #soft batch #soft tbb #sw writing #mesa writes #the bad batch writing #Soft Hour for the Boys

[laudthingcat]

I love you (Todoroki Shoto X Reader)

Hi yall~ This is my first time writing and posting a oneshot myself, but it was hella fun so i might as well just keep writing heh even if it’s shit y-y

I lost my damn text when my computer crashed before saving anything so i had to write everything twice i cri

Btw sorry if something sounds weird. I’m not a native so there’s that.

Word count: 1.4k

 Masterlist

Your boyfriend was throwing a party over at his house. His family was rich, so his house was huge. His parents, being busy, were now abroad taking care of an unexpected problem. The house was full of drunk teenagers and the air was now replaced by cigarette smoke. “Yikes”, you said to yourself before getting out of the house. It was the beginning of march but it was still very cold outside, and you started regretting not having some warmer clothes. You sure enjoyed parties, but not this kind. A party where you could at least hear your own thoughts would have been nicer. Since it was your boyfriend’s party, you were automatically invited, and yet, he was nowhere to be found. Not picking up your phone calls or reading your texts, you started getting worried.  

 It was now almost 10 pm and you still didn’t get any sign from him so you decided checking every room was a must, even tho it was his house, he won’t get mad now, will he? You entered every room, carefully looking around. In a few you got a glimpse at people making out. Blushing and closing back the doors in seconds, you continued checking the rooms, one by one but he was still nowhere to be seen. Maybe he went outside to buy some more drinks? That could be a possibility. 

 It was just way too noisy inside so you went outside looking at your phone, hoping there would be a response from him by now. The fresh air helped you feel better. You relaxed and looked around the house. “Oh it’s his friends”, you said seeing some familiar faces. They were all smoking and laughing without a good reason. “They need Jesus”, you mumbled before backing away a few steps. But then something caught your eye. It was your boyfriend kissing another girl. He was kissing her so passionately and yet whenever you tried to get close, he’d push you away saying that “he’s not in the mood”. You watched them without saying a word, too shocked to do anything. You knew you should go there and confront him, but you couldn’t, at least not at the moment. You felt betrayed and your heart was broken. How could he? He noticed you standing there and immediately started running towards you, calling out your name. Facing him was the last thing you wanted, so you ran inside. He knew you had self esteem problems and that you always felt like you weren’t good enough. You opened up and let him know about your insecurities and he still played with your heart.  

 Thanks to the big number of people in the house, he couldn’t find you. You continued wondering around, looking for a place to sit and think things through. When you were sure he lost you, you couldn’t help but think about him, memories of him and that girl filling your mind. Your eyes got watery; you started crying, not giving a damn about other people seeing you like this. How was she better than you? Just because she had the guts to kiss a guy she barely met? She was hotter for sure, but you could be hot too if you wanted. 

  Not thinking straight, guided by the desire of being good enough for somebody, you went to the kitchen where you grabbed a bottle of Jack Daniels. One, two, three, seven, ten shots; or maybe eleven? You lost count. Everything seemed easier now. Your head was spinning, yes, but you felt so much better. Needing to push every thought about him from your mind, you decided to go with the crowd, moving your body after the rhythm of the music. The song was so catchy, and your moves were so different from what your sober version would do. Not after too long, a random guy started dancing with you. He started touching your back, sending chills to your whole body. A few songs later, he started kissing you. His lips felt nothing like your boyfriend’s, so you started crying. That’s bad; that was bad. You knew it. But even so, you didn’t reject him, thinking that it may help you forget what happened. 

  Closing your eyes, you continued kissing the stranger. A few seconds later you didn’t feel that guy’s lips anymore. A boy was almost killing him in a fight. People got scared and a circle was made around the two of them. You didn’t really react in any way. You were just watching, thinking about how you’d like to eat some donuts. The boy woke you up from your daydreaming by grabbing your hand and leading you to an empty room. He turned the lights on, so now you could see his face. You recognized the face right away. It was Todoroki Shoto. You and him were very good friends, but recently he has been pretty busy with his classes and training, so you haven’t seen him in a few days. That was the last place you’d expect to see him, especially since he’s not a party person.

“ Todoroki?” you asked clearly surprised, being really embarrassed thinking about how he saw you kissing a random dude. He was probably disappointed. No, he certainly was disappointed, since you were disappointed yourself. 

“ Yes”, he responded coldly. Ahh man. You knew you fucked up, but did he really have to make you feel so bad?

“ What are you doing here? I thought you hate parties.” 

“ I do.” 

“ Then why are you here?” 

“ I came here for you. You invited me, remember?”

“ Ah, right” You did. But you didn’t expect him to actually show up. 

“ But then i got here, and the first thing i see is you kissing some random. Do you even know the guy?” he asked clearly pissed, losing control over his quirk, small sparks of fire coming out of his left part of his body.

You looked down because you already realized how stupid that was. But now you were just too curious. He usually doesn’t give a damn about other people’s business. Why was he so pissed? 

“ But why are you so angry with me kissing that guy? Maybe i like him ya know.” 

Oh no, he got angry. 

“ Why do i care?? He was almost fucking you right there, Y/N!! I am your damn friend! It’s my job to take care of you! I care about you…” His face got flustered saying those things. You thought to yourself how cute he was right there. He was usually a really cool guy, not showing emotions much.

 You were at a loss of words. He has always been there, also listening to your problems and somehow always finding your whenever you were feeling down or needed somebody to talk to. 

The silence was filling the room, until he broke it. “ But why were you kissing him anyways? I thought you have a boyfriend?” 

“ Well, I saw him kissing another girl”, you said casually as if you were talking about somebody you didn’t care about.  

“ Oh.. I told you he is a jerk. ” he said in a hushed voice.

Then you realized it. “ Actually I don’t really care. I thought about it and i didn’t really love him. He was my crush so I was really happy when he asked me out, but after a while I realized that I don’t like him. I wanted to break up with him, but everybody was saying that we look good together so i started believing that too.” 

His eyes grew wide. “ What??” 

“ Yeah..” 

“ Are you out of your mind? You shouldn’t date someone just because people say you look good together, Y/N” 

“ I know. But.. I wanted to feel loved.. I- I thought he loved me” , you said, tears falling down your cheeks.

“ You dumbass..” He said before pressing his lips against yours. His lips were soft. The feeling Todoroki’s kiss gave you was new. Not even your ex-boyfriend made you feel that way. He deepened the kiss, turning it into a passionate one. You didn’t want him to stop. You wanted this moment to last forever. Todoroki made your heart beat incredibly fast, now thinking about how you felt loved by the guy you least expected. When he broke the kiss, you looked down, blushing. He was also looking away, too embarrassed and surprised by his own actions. 

“ I love you” , he said grabbing your hand and squeezing it softly.  

#mha #bnha #todoroki shoto x reader #todoroki shoto #todoroki shoto x y/n #shoto todoroki #todoroki shoto oneshot #todoroki shoto fluff #mha x reader #bnha x reader #todoroki shoto x you #mha todoroki #bnha todoroki #bnha oneshots #mha oneshot #anime #fanfic #mha fanfiction

[knifefather]

Greetings yall! This is the fic that I wrote for my 100 followers contest winner, @meat-husband​. I headcanon that Melone is a Scorpio, so I thought it would be a fitting to throw him a birthday party for Formaggio and the reader to sneak out of lol. I hope you guys like it, it was very fun to write. 

➼ Title: Il Mio Regalo

➼ Pairing: Formaggio/Reader

➼ Fandom: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

➼ Word Count: 2.4k

➼ Rating: Explicit, 18+

➼ Contains: Not sfw, car sex, scratching, biting, breeding, drunk sex, afab reader and she/her pronouns

➼ Summary: For Melone's birthday, you and the rest of La Squadra take your friend out to a drag queen club. You start teasing Formaggio on the dancefloor, and he takes you aside to show you some moves of his own.

➼ AO3

It was Formaggio and Illuso's brilliant idea to take Melone out to a drag queen club with the rest of the crew for his birthday. The purple-haired stand user was having a blast as he shot back drinks and flirted with any pretty face that passed him by. Ghiaccio sat beside him, complaining that the music was too loud, like he was known to do. "What is this shit? They call this music?" he ranted, crossing his arms angrily. On the other side of him sat Risotto, who sipped on a mixed drink. The alcohol seemed to not be affecting him whatsoever.

“Hey… Where are Sorbet and Gelato?” Melone slurred, looking around the table and the rest of the busy club. One of the performers that walked by caught his attention, and he followed her with his eyes and grinned wolfishly.

“Where do you think, birthday boy?” Illuso replied, tossing one of his braids over his shoulder with a sassy flourish.

Your little sexual escapade began when Formaggio suggested that you dance with him. “C’mon bambina, it’s getting a little boring sitting around, don’t you think?” he said, swinging his arm over your shoulder. He didn't have very much to drink and he was already demonstrating that sweet, carefree attitude that you loved about him so much. “You look cute as hell in that dress, it’d be a shame not to show you off a little,” he added before kissing your cheek, chuckling.

Pesci, who was drinking diet coke, blushed at the romantic display from your boyfriend. Prosciutto rolled his eyes before taking a shot of hard liquor.  

“I’d love to,” you said, allowing Formaggio to guide you to the dancefloor, his hand protectively on your waist.

“Pesci, Pros. You guys should dance, too. You’ve been sitting around like a buncha lameasses all night!” Melone said a little too loudly, pointing at them with his drink and subsequently spilling a bit onto the table. Risotto was quiet and gave the puddle of booze a disapproving look. Momentarily, Melone and Illuso were drunkenly pushing them towards the direction of the dancefloor as well. You and Formaggio had already picked up a groove, moving against each other to the catchy beat of the song playing over the speakers. Formaggio snuck a peak of Proscuitto and Pesci awkwardly trying to blend into the crowd nearby, but the way your hips were moving against his were much more interesting than what they were doing. He looked at you questioningly, cocking his shaved head, and you grinned in response, grinding your hips tantalizingly against his.

You could hear his sharp intake of breath above the loud music, and he reciprocated the act. It wasn’t difficult for you to feel the very obvious tent in his red pants.

“Sorry, mio coniglietta dolce (my sweet bunny), you know I can’t help myself…I’m just having an amazing time, and you look so beautiful," he babytalked as you slid your hands up his shoulders, over the studs of his jacket. “I love you, you know that?”

Your eyes softened as you gazed at him. “I love you too, Maggie. Why don’t we get out of here?” you suggested, whispering against his lips as you drew closer to him. He bit his lip and nodded his head quickly.

“Abso-fucking-lutely,” he agreed. He moved to pull away from you before stopping to think. “Where are we going to do it?” Formaggio asked, quirking his eyebrow. "We need to find a spot private enough." Damn. You didn’t think that far ahead. You already had a few ideas--you both could go behind the back of the club, or in the restrooms, but neither of those options was preferable to you at the moment. Prosciutto was the one that drove you, Formaggio, and Pesci to the club and you wished that you had brought your own car.

It seemed like your boyfriend had the same idea as you, because a realization dawned in his eyes and he gave a shit-eating grin.

“Where’s Pros?” he asked, looking around. By that point, he had lost sight of him and Pesci in the crowd. The stiff member in his pants made it even harder for him to focus.

“Shit, I’m not sure,” you replied, also looking around.

Then, the lights went down and the crowd began to cheer. One of the many stunning queens made her way to the stage and began to introduce one of the performers for the evening. You and Formaggio knew this would be the perfect time to jack Prosciutto’s keys off of him if you could find him. It wasn’t too difficult to spot him standing awkwardly on the side of the crowd along with Pesci. Formaggio rubbed his hands together schemingly before looking at you. “Watch this,” he told you, grinning, before shrinking himself down to about 150 centimeters. Carefully, he approached Proscuitto, keeping his footsteps light and merging into the crowd with ease. Formaggio was right behind the man, and carefully grabbed the keys that were hanging out of his pocket. By the time Proscuitto whipped around to confront whoever was behind him, your boyfriend was gone, shrinking himself down even smaller to escape into the crowd.

“Did you see someone just now?” the black-clad gangster asked his counterpart.

“What?” Pesci responded, enthralled by the performance of the queen and drowned out by the loud music that came from the speakers.

Formaggio returned to you, returning to his normal height of 178 centimeters. He smirked and jingled the keys in front of your face. “Cranky bastard won’t ever know. Let’s get out of here, babygirl,” he said, cocking his head towards the exit of the club and cheekily smacking your ass.

The whole club blurred by you as the both of you made your escape. Formaggio was leading you by the hand out into the dimly lit parking lot. In his other hand, he was excitedly jingling the pair of keys that did not belong to him. You wondered how long it would take Proscuitto to notice that they were missing and throw one of his bitchfits, but the heat in your loins superseded that thought. You had been on the edge of your seat since Formaggio took you onto the dancefloor, and you were ready for him to be inside you. The both of you approached the chic Italian sports car and Formaggio excitedly unlocked the vehicle. He opened the door to the backseat for you and smirked. “Ladies first,” he drawled, motioning towards it.

“Thank you,” you said coquettishly before climbing onto the cushy seats. Knowing that you and Formaggio were going to make Proscuitto’s car smell like sex somehow made you even slicker beneath your underwear. It wasn’t long before your boyfriend was climbing in beside you. You were on him quickly, climbing into his lap and kissing him with vigor. He gladly returned the gesture, running his hands down your back, sides, and finally cupping your ass. You ground your hips down against the outline of his cock in his trousers, and Formaggio carefully fingered the zipper of your dress, not tugging it down yet, but playing with you. You made a frustrated noise against his lips and pulled away, putting your hands brattily on his chest.

“Don’t toy with me please,” you whined, bucking your hips against his lap and making him laugh at your needy attitude. “I’m so fucking wet from the dancefloor, come on,” you urged, pouting at him. Formaggio could never resist your cute little pout. He was weak for you and everybody knew it, but he couldn't help it.

“If you ask, you shall receive,” he said coyly, an evil look spreading over his face while he eagerly unzipped your dress. You climbed out of it easily until you were bare on his lap. His hazel eyes trailed down your body appreciatively, taking in your beauty. “God… How did I get here? This is a dream, right?” he asked breathlessly, his eyes returning to your face while his hands slid up your stomach and sides to cup your breasts.

“You’re not dreaming. But you are wearing too many clothes,” you remarked, tugging off his jacket and leaving him in his skimpy green crop top. Formaggio agreed with you and started to undo his fly. It wasn’t long before you were both bare, hands all over in seconds. The windows of Proscuitto’s car began to fog.

Formaggio was excited and a bit hasty, guiding you onto his cock already. You gripped his shoulders and moaned brokenly as the blunt tip of his manhood began to penetrate you. He let out a satisfied sigh as he slid between your wet folds. “So good… You looked amazing while you were dancing,” he said as he bottomed out in you. His cheeks lit up a brilliant pink as he watched himself disappear inside you. You started grinding against his lap, a precursor to bouncing up and down on his cock. His mouth was left hanging open while your walls hugged his member.

He gripped your waist tight and guided you back down on every thrust, breathless. Formaggio couldn’t keep his lips off of you, and he began to kiss and suck on your neck while you moved. He nibbled at your skin and you hissed out a sound of both pain and pleasure. You could feel the vibrations of his laughter against you, your reactions making him nip harder. Formaggio left marks on your skin that the cut of your dress wouldn’t be able to hide, and that excited you. All of La Squadra would be able to see the evidence of your little quickie with him. You arched your back into each thrust, driving him deeper every time your thighs met. His pupils were blown, hazy from the alcohol and the sheer lust of being inside you. He moved down to your breast, leaving more marks, and you tossed your head back. The taste of your skin was vaguely salty, the man's eyes slipping closed as the taste blossomed on his tongue.

“M-Maggie… I’m r-really close…” you breathed, your legs trembling as you struggled to bounce on his lap. He could feel your effort and he took the opportunity to remove you from his lap and lay you down on the seats. Formaggio’s smiled dopily when he re-entered you, the new angle sending a deep sound erupting from him. He picked up the pace quickly, his arms planted on either side of you while he thrust into your cunt.

“Oh, cazzo! Me too, bella, me too,” he panted out. You ran your hands over his shaved head and down his back, holding on for dear life while he drove you to climax. You couldn’t restrain yourself from clawing his back, and your partner hissed as your blunt nails ran over his skin. “H-Ha...You’re practically begging me to stuff you full of my cum, aren’t you?” he whispered, his grin unbearably handsome.

His words made your pussy flutter around him and squeeze him like a vice. “Yes! Yesyesyes,” you babbled, pulling him close. You could feel him throbbing against your sensitive walls, every vein and ridge to his member dragging over your insides. Formaggio choked out a broken curse before burying himself deep inside you. He gave a shuddering breath as he emptied himself in you, but didn’t let up his pace. He could see the need in your facial expressions, your hands drawing him closer and closer, tearing up his shoulders.

Formaggio kissed you, hard, as your orgasm hit you. Your legs locked around him instinctively, pulling him as close as he could be as you tremble around him. Your sex dripped with slick and tightened around him, not wanting to let him go. His name fell from your lips over and over as you rode out your orgasm, feeling his warm seed slosh inside you. He was trembling, too, sweat beading down his forehead and his eyes unfocused. The inside of the car was now completely foggy, only the fuzzy streetlights illuminating the space. You both tried to catch your breaths, and after a moment of gathering himself, Formaggio was the first one to speak.

“You are fucking incredible. I’m so glad I'm the one who gets to date you,” he said before giving you a tender kiss on the lips. The compliment made your heart swell in your chest. Formaggio pulled away after a moment to reach into the glove compartment and pull out something to clean you with. You looked down between your legs to see that some of Formaggio’s cum got on the leather seats.

“How mad do you think Proscuitto is gonna be?” you said, looking down at it.

“Fuck 'im,” Formaggio said, nonchalantly, before the two of you busted up laughing, still not clothed. You leaned against each other, laughing until you were wheezing. Moments like these made you realize how much you were truly in love with him. Your gigglefest was disrupted by a pounding on the still foggy window.

“Are you two shitting me?” Prosuitto’s indignant, disappointed voice sounded from the other side. “On my leather seats? Really?” the gangster roared, scoffing and continuing to beat on the door.

“Big bro, you’re going to break the window--” Pesci tried to warn, blushing hard at catching the two of you in the car.

“Let ‘em have fun! It’s my birthday,” Melone cheered from outside too, laughing, his boots clicking around on the ground. You could hear Ghiaccio grumbling, and you assumed that Melone was heavily leaning against him. Formaggio smirked at the opportunity to rub it in the guys' faces before hollering back. "Sorry! I'm not sure where her panties went, you're going to have to give us a minute to find them!"

You punched him playfully in the arm, embarrassed, and he gathered you in his arms, holding you close to his chest. “It might be Melone’s birthday, but no gift he’s received tonight is a great as the one I have right here,” he said sweetly, the joking tone he used earlier gone. “I love you so much, tesora.”

“I love you too, Maggie… You’re my everything,” you told him, your gaze soft before you kissed him, just as grateful for him as he is for you.

#formaggio #la squadra #jjba #vento aureo #not sfw #minors dni #my work #backup #contest tag

[365days365movies]

March 1, 2021: The Hobbit (Review)

Is “quaint” a good word here?

Maybe its the beautiful backgrounds, maybe it’s the stylized designs that make me think of Christmas specials, maybe it’s the faithful take on a classic story that I loved as a kid, but...I dunno. Quaint’s the first thing that comes to mind here for me, for whatever reason.

All I know is that I did enjoy this movie well-enough...even if it’s not my favorite. Don’t get me wrong, this is still a great story, and I do love the original Tolkien tale very much...but I don’t know if I can say this was my favorite adaptation or not.

Now, it got some things right that the Jackson movies didn’t, at last as far as I’m concerned. Thorin’s pretty good in this film, Gollum is great (as always), and it accurately sums up the story in a single movie without too much omitted (I do miss Beorn, though). But here’s the thing: the things that I think Jackson’s movies did wrong outnumber what this film did right.

You know, the weird addition of Tauriel and Legolas, the added Lake Town plot with fuckin’ Alfrid, the entire Azog thing, the fucking NECROMANCER thing, Rada...well, actually, I like Radagast. He was fun.

And that’s not to say that Jackson’s movies did nothing right. Quite the contrary! I mean, Martin Freeman is a PERFECT Bilbo Baggins, and basically everybody is perfectly cast, to be honest. And that includes what I think is the best part of the films: Smaug, as portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch. And yeah, that motion capture footage is hilarious, but it pays the fuck OFF, what can I tell ya? I mean...come on.

Smaug in these movies is fucking AMAZING, and I genuinely love him. And...well, you know what, let’s actually get into the Review. Enough navel-gazing here. Here’s the Recap (Parts 1, 2, and 3), if you’d like to read that first! OK, let’s get this done and Reviewed!

Review

Cast and Acting: 7/10

Given that this is an animated film, this is an interesting category to grade. I’ll be doing so based on their vocal performances, and...eh. For a Rankin-Bass movie, the vocal performances are a little standard. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some standouts. Orson Bean plays a kind and contemplative Bilbo, and while I don’t know that I like him quite as much as Martin Freeman, I do still like his performance. John Huston is likewise good as Gandalf, although Ian McKellen is...well, Ian McKellen, even in The Hobbit films. And then...there’s Brother Theodore. And, boy oh boy, do I love his Gollum a lot! I think he’s legitimately fantastic as this version of the character, and specifically as this version of the character. Andy Serkis is still the better Gollum, I think, but I do think that Theodore handles Gollum’s last line in this film better than Serkis did. However, I can see Serkis becoming the devious little monster he eventually becomes a lot more.

Also, Hans Conried plays Thorin, and all I could hear was Captain Hook, like, the entire time. There are actually a lot of voice actors from the time period in here, like Don Messick, Paul Frees, and Thurl Ravenscroft, and they’re all fine. There’s also Richard Boone as Smaug, and...he’s OK. Not saying he’s great, but...he’s all right. His deep booming voice does work well for the role, and some of his line deliveries are pretty goddamn solid, but...I dunno, he just doesn’t bring the same gravelly gravitas that I expect of, well, a goddamn dragon, let’s be frank here.

Plot and Writing: 9/10

What can I say? It’s Tolkien! And they’re pretty exact with their adaptation of the original work, as adapted and written by Romeo Muller. And yeah, Muller does a good job...but he also writes this similar to how he wrote all of the other Rank Bass specials. If there’s any problem, it’s that. But even then...I don’t know if I can call that a real problem. Still, I’ll take a point off for it, even though it’s really closer to half a point. If anything, I’m upset that Beorn was completely absent. You coulda worked him in, Romeo!

Directing and Cinematography: 7/10

This is essentially judging the storyboarding, and how shots were positioned in the artistic process. And yeah, it’s...mostly good. Unfortunately, true to form for Rankin-Bass production, it often feels just a little too stiff in places. Makes sense since Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass are the directors. Not as bad as some of their other productions, but still definitely a notable quality of the film. So, points off for that, but the rest of it is honestly fine, especially for animation of the era. What came out from Disney that year?

Oh, damn, the Rescuers? Yeah...shit, yeah, that looked WAY better, and that wasn’t even one of Disney’s best looking film up to that point. Although, different budgets should probably be taken into account. OK, moving on.

Production and Art Design: 8/10

I like the backgrounds in this film a LOT, lemme tell you. They were done by Minoru Nishida, who’s done a hell of a lot of animation stuff, but was also the art director for Kill Bill Vol 1! Neat! But yeah, the backgrounds are absolutely gorgeous here. How about the rest of the art design? Characters were designed by Lester Abrams, then redesigned a bit by the Topcraft guys (specifically  Tsuguyuki Kubo), giving it the very stereotypical Rankin-Bass style that the movie is known for. And does it work? I mean...kinda. The good news is that the different races of Middle Earth are pretty goddamn distinguishable from each other, and creatively designed at that. The bad news...sorry, I never did get used to Smaug, I genuinely don’t like his design in this. Like...why the dog head? By all accounts, Smaug was a stereotypical wyrm-style dragon, with the reptilian features and I. I just...I don’t get it. Sorry, but Jackson’s Smaug wins here, hands down. But that said...I do like Gollum. It’s different, yeah, but I think his design works pretty well. After all, according to Tolkien, we’re not really supposed to know what Gollum is. And I think it works pretty goddamn well!

Music and Editing: 7/10

Glenn Yarbrough. I love ya. I SWEAR, I do actually like you and your main contribution to this movie, The Greatest Adventure. But if I have to hear that song ONE MORE GODDAMN TIME in this movie, I swear...because they chop up the song and use it in EVERY AVAILABLE INSTANCE with Bilbo. And I guess it’s his leitmotif, but they use that song...A LOT. And not instrumentally, I mean with the goddamn lyrics. Just...tone it down a little, OK? But OK, what about the other music, by Maury Laws? I like it! There are some songs in here that are very catchy, and I might actually get “Down, Down, to Goblin Town” on my playlist. Not that it’s all great, but it works for the setting and for the tone of the movie. And what about the editing? Eh. Visual editing is pretty good, bu7t the sound editing is...it’s 1970s animation editing. Hell, even the Rescuers sound editing wasn’t amazing, when I think about it. It’s fine, but it isn’t great most of the time.

Y’know...I think I can gel with a 76% here.

Yeah, I know, it’s low, but that’s because this movie was...good, but OK. I’m not necessarily saying that it was better or worse than the Jackson movies, because I think they compliment each other in some weird ways. I like Thorin as a character more here, but Smaug MUCH more in the Jackson films. While there definitely don’t need to be three Jackson movies...I’ll admit that I think this one is too short, coming in at only an hour and 18 minutes. And I gotta say, I love the fact that it’s animated...but the live-action films also look fantastic, I can never fault them for how they look (except for Dain...ugh). I think they’re similar, but different, at least for me.

But OK, here’s a question: is it just because it’s a property that I really like, and I have my own internal vision of it, which might be influenced by the live-action films? Entirely a possibility. Watch this movie yourself, make your own score! See what you think. Meanwhile, I’m going to try an experiment.

Fantasy movie, same production company, same directors, same animators, also based off of a fantasy book. And, uh...I dunno, a unicorn, maybe?

March 2, 2021: The Last Unicorn (1982)

#the hobbit #the hobbit 1977 #j.r.r. tolkien #rankin-bass #rankin bass #orson bean #bilbo baggins #hans conried #thorin oakenshield #john huston #gandalf #otto preminger #cyril ritchard #glenn yarbrough #fantasy march #user365 #365 movie challenge #365 movies 365 days #365 Days 365 Movies #365 movies a year #userakaysa

[aggresivelyfriendly]

‘Tis the Damn Season- Chapter 2

Winter Wonderland

Hello loveys! Here is chapter two, a new year, a new world, a new Harry video! Thank you to @dirtystyles for fixing my tenses, which I promptly messed up by revising and adding. All remaining mistakes are mine.

Happy reading- reblogs are love!

Emma was annoyed before she even caught her flight, but she loved airports, so she got lost in watching the peculiar things people did in the there to sublimate what was probably just anxiety. She'd once watched a boys' trip, maybe a bachelor party, get on a plane and begin toasting at 5:30 am. The groom had almost bought the whole plane a round, but one of his mates had stopped him. She assumed this wasn't his first beer of the day, but maybe it was the last of the night before?

People acted different in airports.

That had been her first flight to Holland. When she went to her interview at Wageningen University and Research Center. She really needed to impress, she'd pressed her outfit more than she had ironed anything since she'd been taught to do it. This was her dream school and the climate research they did was groundbreaking and she wanted to be part of it so much that she was willing to do whatever it took. Beyond the heavy course load she could expect during the regular school years, the top students got amazing summer work or internships. She'd promised herself she would not be going home for breaks for some time. Honestly she was just fine with that. There wasn't much left for her in Holmes Chapel.

There wasn't much in Holmes Chapel at all.

She'd wanted to move from the little village the minute they'd moved there when she was eleven. Sure it was cute, picturesque and maybe something out of a Jane Austen novel, but Emma did not read much Pride and Prejudice. Though she definitely had seen Mr. Darcy come out of the pond. Honestly, she was more of a nonfiction girl, and she like investigative reporting. She'd missed London pretty much immediately and begged to go back for months. It was a time in her life she would have called the absolute worst, until it became the foundation for the best years. Emma made really good, motivated friends. Big dreams were common in little Holmes Chapel, so Emma fit right in. It may have never felt like home exactly, but she made a home of those friends.

Gemma was one of them. She had done her share of Austen reading. Reading in general, and she had the sweetest family. Her little brother Harry was so nice to their mum, though he loved nothing more than bugging Gemma. Like all little brothers. She'd heard at least, Emma was an only child.

All her parents' hopes and dreams rested right on her shoulders.

But theirs weren't nearly so weighty as her own. Even then she knew she was going to save the planet, or at the very least reduce the number of climate refugees.

Now, after two summers in Reykjavik, she was more into sustainable energy and zero waste production, but she was still trying to change the climate game.

She would really rather be going back to Iceland now. A friend had invited her to see the Northern Lights. They were most active in the winter and she'd only caught glimpses of them during her summer internships. It may have been the experience of a lifetime.

But her mother had laid on a major guilt trip. Emma hadn't been back to little Holmes Chapel in two years. She'd come home that first Christmas because she was tired, overwhelmed, still adjusting to her school schedule, and a little homesick. Her mother told her so. She'd even skipped the Twist's Christmas party, which was the shindig of the season. She'd slept right through it, and only seen Gemma at the pub later. She hadn't been up for company, but Gemma was family.

This year? After a year's absence, she'd be going. And she'd receive the hometown-hero-returns treatment. Though she was sure her reception at the airport would consist of her mum with a single sign. When she did make it to the pub, she might see a few friendly faces besides Gemma. Last time? Since she'd missed the party, she didn't have anything to contribute to the discussion. She'd just listened to everybody else rehash it. Normally, that would be fine, but she already felt removed, and had always felt a bit like a screw among nails in Holmes Chapel, so she was determined to go to the party this year. She had all kinds of plans, how many hours she'd socialize, rest, and read.

The flight was easy at least, and the train up to Manc doubly so. She liked to sleep on trains, something about the rocking, and she resumed her old habit of sleeping wrapped around her backpack.

"Welcome home, love!" Her mother shouted and Emma actually got a little misty, just like her Mum. Maybe she should try to get home more than once a year, but there's just so much she wants to accomplish. She even had a list. All the things she wanted to do before she turned thirty. It's been revised of course, she'd not unrealistic. Once the list is complete, she can have a life outside her ambitions, like a real boyfriend.

There's not much time for anything but hook-ups for the next ten years., and Emma was ok with that.

Up til now. She might need another pass at her bullet points, or to at least read her goals again when she got to the Twist's new brick beauty of a house. Harry had bought his mum a new home, one not watched as closely by his obsessive fans. They hadn't found this one yet.

Emma could see why they followed him around so, and why some people risked it all for a certain face. His face, his very famous, gorgeous face.

It was so weird that Harry wasn't just Gemma's little brother who grew up cute anymore. His music wasn't really her style, though some of the songs were catchy and Emma did like his latest album. She caught herself humming about life stories long after she heard it, and she seemed to hear his latest single playing in lots of shops and restaurants, even in Holland.

At the party, she also found herself in the same room as Harry more often than she can find an excuse for. Her eyes also seemed to find him a lot, she knew because of how many times she had to whip her head away quickly. As a tactic, that didn't work because he was always either already looking at her,or he immediately turned like he knews where she was. Maybe her gaze had weight, or she was as subtle as an axe.

When he smirked at her the tenth time their eyes lit upon each other, she choked on her wine.

What the fuck?

She'd finally got herself calmed from that little encounter. Mostly because she left the room to find a loo. The water she splashed on her face was cold and woke her up. "What are you doing, girl?" Emma asked her reflection but found that she couldn't help but smile at herself, and bite her lip. The flush on her cheeks was lovely; she could blame the wine, everyones favorite excuse.

An hour later she was pleasantly tipsy, the kind of buzz you could maintain and still wake up the next day not regretting, and she'd gone to the kitchen to grab another glass to nurse her merry state. "Be right back. We need another round!" She was calling back to Gemma when she bumped into a tall lanky body. She caught his hips with one hand and found them with just enough give to grip. "Oof!" She exclaimed before looking up to see how much damage her wine had done. Good thing she drank white, there was a growing spot ok his sweater. Wait a second! Then she coasted her head up the lovely lilac sweater toward his face. "That's my sweater." She said first off, bopping his chin.

"Um, no, mine now." Oh, his voice was adorably thick with drink too. "You give it to Gem or something?"

What was he talking about? Her eyes stayed with his and she was kinda trapped in his greens when she realized he meant the sweater. She had, right. "I'm yeah, years ago. Was my favorite and we shared it a lot. I decided she should have it before I moved. And I guess she decided you should have it when you moved. Though I expect your life change was a little different than mine. Yours was like overnight and mine a life long plan, and oh my god, Emma stop talking." She would have kept rambling except, well, he kissed her, right on the mouth and held his overfilled lips to her own. No, overfilled wasn't true. They were full, but not crazy big, they just were so plump at the edges. God, when had she thought about Harry's lips so much.

Right now, as much as she could think of anything, it was Harry's lips. She'd relaxed into his rhythm and was following his lead when her free hand took on a mind of its own and coasted from his hips up his back and into his hair. He groaned a little before he disengaged and then chuckled.

"Well," he said as the offending hand went to her mouth. Maybe she did need to stop drinking. That was bold, unlike her, and strange. But wait! What just happened? Why did he kiss her?.

"Huh?"

"I think that beat my last mistletoe kiss and I'd convinced myself that was impossible!" He was giving her a knowing look, like a wink in his smile. Did he kiss somebody else tonight? She looked up at him and tried not to be annoyed, or feel jealous, or focus on the shape of his mouth, still a little wet from her kiss. Was he just hanging out by the mistletoe like a weirdo? Seemed odd for a bloke people were lining up to meet, let alone kiss.

"Why'd you do that?" She found her voice to ask. It was rusty, like she hadn't just been laughing and talking for hours with people she'd forgotten how much she enjoyed.

"You bumped into me under the mistletoe. I assumed you wanted me to." Well, she did while he was kissing her, but now he was being a bit of an ass.

"Um, you were just in the way..."

"Well, I'll have to find myself in your path as often as possible then." Ok, that was cute, a bit cocky, like the smirk on his face. Then his face flushed and his dimples were so deep and she decided that shift, from smirky pop star to hometown mumma's boy was the best quick change she had ever seen. "Ah, see, that got you to smile!" He bopped her nose and she knew her own dimple pressed in even further.

"Nah, you're a little shit, but I like your smile. Especially when you blush." The color he turned then made her laugh out loud. She felt drunk when she realized how long they'd been staring at each other grinning. She was counting her drinks a second later when he caught her off guard again.

"Where'd you just go?"

"Wha'?" Oh boy, she'd dropped her t, she was really home now.

"We were having a moment." He motioned between their faces. "Then you went in your head. Lost your attention, didn't like it at all."

Then he caught her hand, their fingers entwined together like their lips moments before. It was hot in there. Emma shook her head and glanced around, but she didn't untangle them. She looked at her boots and felt shy. But Emma wasn't shy, Harry used to be shy, though now he was bolder than her, apparently.

"Listen," he started and she looked up to his eyes again. When had they gotten so attractive? What had gone on with him in the last couple years? Other than the international superstardom she supposed, but he'd grown into himself, like expanded his skin and presence. He was cute, but all she could think was that the end of puberty was rarely so damn kind. His fingers even seemed attractive, long and slim and she was imagining him playing piano, but then the instrument was her body, and damn, she was in her head again. She could feel that her eyes widened comically. She knew her pupils were blown. When was the last time she'd gotten laid? Apparently too long if holding hands had her imagining unspeakable things and holding in moans.

He smirked then, she guessed he knew where she went then. "Listen," he leaned in close and she nodded, their noses brushed. He exhaled and her lips tingled. "Where are you staying?"

"Huh?" She wasn't sure what she'd expected him to say, but that wasn't it.

He giggled, and it was cute enough that Emma felt a splash of awareness hit her face. She looked around to see if anybody saw them flirting if she could disengage her gaze. "Are you at your parents?"

"Oh, um yeah?"

"Are you sure?" He laughed then and the brush of his thumb across the back of her hand was warmer than the mulled wine in her belly.

"No, I'm sure, just not sure why you are asking." She nudged him and realized a bit too late that her nipples touched him first, she was only half sorry this top meant no bra when she felt the friction.

It was his eyes' turn to widen. "Um," he exhaled and she missed his eyes when he quickly glanced down her dress like there might be a cookie there and then up quickly like he remembered he wasn't supposed to have any sweets. "Ok, um," he said after he visibly took hold of himself, "I was just hoping you had a room above the pub or something."

She knew her face called him idiot better than her mouth could.

He rolled his eyes, "I know, it was a shot in the dark!"

"Did you expect me to slide you my room key if I did?" Emma flashed her eyebrows like she wasn't imagining him finger fucking her with his piano hands a moment ago. "Isn't that your move?" She teased, kind of. She imagined he knew his way around hotel rooms, and women in them.

"Heeeey," he was being cute but the corners of his eyes dropped a moment and the green dulled. "It's not like that."

Emma scoffed.

"Well, I mean," his other hand found hers and now if anyone was watching them they were getting a show. "If it was like that, I wouldn't say no, but just want to hear about Holland, seems so amazing, and where you are in the summers..."

She could see him racking his brain.

"Iceland." They said together. And then giggled together too.

"You been keeping tabs on me?" She leaned forward and enjoyed the brush of him on her again. He shivered.

"Yeah, always admired you." He looked at her through his lashes. "I'd like to hear more reasons you're the most impressive person I've ever met."

"But I don't have a place." She reminded him.

"If I got one?"

"What?" She thought she knew what he was asking, but she wanted a minute to think about her answer, to quiet the resounding YES that echoed in her body and her mind. Because he might have said it wasn't like that, but they were chest to chest and had been holding hands since they kissed moments ago.

He looks down chagrined at his pigeon toes, before his gaze lit on their hands, then her face. "If I got a room at the Vicarage? Would you come with me? Really! We can really just talk." He assured and then the cocky boy who found his stride in hotel room assignations showed out, "if you want." Those dimples were deadly.

"Can it be the Boar's Head?" She knew she'd showed her cards, by asking for a room the town over.

He nodded and grinned like he'd just hit the hotpicks. "It can be the Boar's Head." He nodded like a dashboard bobble head. "I have to make nice here a bit longer, but I'll call now, and put your name on, so you can go when you're ready."

They'd been standing close for just a few more seconds when Gemma said- "Harry! Get off. God you are such a flirt!" But she was in her cups too, so they laughed it off.

The next hour, Emma stayed near Gem, but her eyes tracked Harry. Once, he came by and stole a sip of Gem's cocktail off her and Emma was glad her friend's ire distracted her, because Emma was watching him giggle like a fiend and the contraction of his throat. When their eyes met, she knew hers made a promise. One she wanted to keep.

So now she was alone in a couple of quaint rooms a town over, waiting to have sex with Gemma's little brother, Harry Styles.

She was torn, half of her wanted to open the bottle she'd swiped from the alcohol table at the party. The other half wanted to call an Uber and go back to her parents' house, where she should have stopped and grabbed some clothes so she wouldn't have to do the walk of shame.

But getting clothes would have meant forethought; she will deny that, especially to herself.

Emma had just opened the uber app and cursed their rural area when she heard a key in the lock.

Like a gun at the races.

They were never going to just talk. She'd just dropped her phone on the couch before Harry laid the first kiss on her.

The first kiss she planned to really remember, that is. Their mistletoe kiss had caught her off guard enough that she could only remember the feelings, not the details.

Yet, she was here, kissing him in a rented room after sneaking out of his mum's Christmas Eve party, on the strength of those feelings.

The kiss started strong and sweet, just like she takes her tea. He didn't taste like tea, he tasted like wine, Merlot maybe, but it could have been any red. And his tongue had this delicious slither to couple with its intoxicating flavor. She was in for a penny when she rode over here, but now there was no way she was going anywhere but to bed with him, no matter how pound foolish. He was nipping at her bottom lip and mouthing at her jaw before he sucked an almost mark into her collarbone and love bites onto the sides of her neck. He was just about to hit a particular sweet spot while working off her clothes, his hands were at her zipper. The cheeky boy, and she felt like they should at least hit pause even if stop was off the table.

"Harry," she moaned, or breathed, it was a sound she'd never made before.

"Hmmm?" He asked without stopping any of his forward momentum.

"I thought we were gonna talk." That one was like a laugh, there was a trill in her voice certainly.

"We'll talk afterwards." He said it like a statement, but looked to her for confirmation. At her nod, her skirt dropped and his hands were all over her bare ass above the stockings she'd worn to feel sexy but hadn't expected anyone to see. She normally would have worn tights. Thick ones, certainly, in Amsterdam. It would have been smarter here too. It was at least as cold. She'd been feeling that mix of confidence and self consciousness one gets when seeing people from your past when you think you've leveled up. She wanted to feel her best, look her best. Sexy, even if no one was interested. She's thankful, both for his interest and her unintended preparation. When he caught the sides of her knickers while her shirt and bra were as untouched as his clothes, she figured she needed to get with it. She'd been clutching his shoulders and his gorgeous hair instead of doing anything of use to their current pursuit.

Emma pulled at his shirt until it came over his messed up disheveled hair and laughed at the hodge podge of black ink haphazardly spread over his torso and one arm. "What's this then?" She said between licks of his tongue.

"After, we talk after!" He'd gotten her shirt unwrapped. She liked that detail of the shirt too, a sexy secret, like her matching bra. He pulled back to stare and was distracted long enough for her to give him another look over. He does look sexy in his decorated skin.

"What do they mean?" She liked things to make sense, her world was ordered, scientific.

Harry shrugged. "Lots of different things. Or nothing. Now can we please go to bed and we can discuss my stupid tattoos after I've had you."

"Oh fuck,'' was all she could say to that. He smirked and hoisted her up his hips to carry her through the open frame to the bedroom. He pulled her knickers free as soon as she was done bouncing.

She'd just about caught her breath when she saw him go for the button of his jeans. She lost it again when his thick bulge became visible and he pushed his tight jeans forcibly down his thighs. "Damn!" She looked at him with a glint.

He mounted the bed and spread her open, kissed her right knee over her stocking, which he seemed intent in keeping on, and looked pointedly at her center. She was swollen, his eye contact with the evidence didn't help. "Damn!" He echoed and she would have laughed but Harry, Gemma's sexy little brother, was kissing up her right thigh, with just a few licks and nips to her hip creases and so damn close to where she wanted him before he was testing the fuck out of her by kissing and licking and loving her left thigh. Ignoring her desperate need.

"Fuck, Harry. Please." She'd got the bedspread balled in her hands and she would normally have removed that before considering getting into the bed but she was also usually in pajamas and alone.

The filthy things he was saying were way worse than whatever could have been on the bedspread. Though she enjoyed them a great deal more, and it made her happy to have taken off everything already.

Harry had finally gotten to the main course. Only After her begging got loud enough to be heard by the room next door and the innkeeper, she won't make eye contact with anyone tomorrow. Maybe not even Harry, if he stayed. Emma had his full attention now, she could learn about all the things his mouth could do. The wet flat of his tongue caressed her like she was a bit of deliciousness and sunk down to find her creamy center.

"Fuck!" She yelped when he sealed his mouth over her for a tight suck and rub until she was rolling and writhing and fighting against the arms banded around her thighs. He laid one across her belly to hold her down.

"Do you like that?" He kept going because her answer was obviously yes. When the arm not restraining her passion made its piano fingered way between her thighs to do the thing she'd imagined earlier, sliding in tightly where she was wet and wanting, she clenched down on his three fingers and said his name.

He slid up her body and reached for the condom, but Emma had gotten her head back around to stop him before he got it on. She hated the taste of rubbers, and she'd like to know his flavor first. "Wait." She leaned forward between his legs and stroked him base to tip. He really was well favored, and not just from the neck up. She pressed his length to his stomach and licked the seam from his balls around and up to his head before she got a mouthful of him. Now he was her dessert. She didn't even think to try the pies and things at the party, she had been so preoccupied with the taste she'd had of him. It was but an appetizer for this. He leaked on her tongue and she moaned and hummed.

"Jesus! Emma! Stop, I'm gonna!" He pushed her back. And she was a little mad he'd taken away her sweetie. "Enough. I'd like to get inside you."

That was a suggestion she could take. So, she lay back and thought of anything but England while he stroked his skinned cock and spat over the tip. God. The way his stomach flexed caused an aftershock to recapture her. "Harry?" His name a plea. His knees hit the bed and her heels pressed him toward her, toward them.

"God, I've never seen you like this!" She'd have to ask him what he meant by that, later. Then he nodded, using his thumb to press his cock head inside the tight ring of muscle at the top of her entrance. Except he was a little low.

"Uhh!" She glanced down and grabbed him to redirect. "Wrong one." She tried not to laugh.

"Sorry, might be a touch too eager." He confessed: She's now laughing, openly. "Hey! It may have went right in, as wet as you are?"

Now she'd be indignant if he wasn't so ridiculous. "Are you really complaining about how wet my pussy is?"

"No, no, that would make me an idiot right?" He asked and found the right spot to start pushing in.

This was always her favorite part, and since this was her favorite fuck already, she knew the pop when he got the lip of his head in would be enough to begin her tip over the edge.

She moaned even before he caught the exact right angle to square her desire and she clutched his back and lifted her bottom to chase his withdrawal. "It would, god, you're perfect, an idiot."

"Oh God, Em!" She liked that. And the kisses to her mouth and chin and neck. Messy and wet and out of control. He'd gone from deliberate and self possessed to a man overcome as he rolled his hips up and into her and against that delicious place inside.

"Harry, don't stop. I'm close." Her head fell back when he slowed down just enough to draw out her orgasm, bring it to the surface and ride it home. He stroked her through and then brought his hands under her ass to lift her pelvis up to his driving thrusts, more deliberate and direct than the ones he used to get her off. She watched his face scrunch, and then open, his jaw down and his eyes closed until he smiled and licked his lips.

It's that face she decided she wanted to see as much as she could.

And she did, it was made better when he bit his lip and laughed. "Am I a perfect idiot then?"

She was blissed out and couldn't stop herself saying, "no you're an idiot with a perfect cock!" He was just pulling out of her then, and she was so embarrassed when he stood up to tie off the condom and preened.

"Am I now?"

She was the idiot. "I'll Pay you to forget I said that!" Emma wants to scurry to the bathroom and get out of here. She's already feeling shame, may as well get the walk over with.

"I don't need any money." He's laughing now. Shes scooting to the restroom when he catches her hands and holds her close. "Where are you going. You owe me, you're gonna pay me in conversation."

Wait, he still wants to talk, even after they've done what they came to do. "Ok." Shes still a little embarrassed and pulling away.

"No, no, stay and talk, come back to bed and tell me about my perfect co—" she's clamping her hand over his mouth.

"Only if you shut up, and I have to have a wee first."

"After!" He begged. "I wanna hear about school and everything. What exactly you're doing to save the world."

"I'll tell you, I have to go after, prevents uti's and such." She hated being clinical, well right now.

"It does?" He asked and she nodded. "That's good to know."

She wants to be embarrassed, but his ease when she comes back from washing up, the way he is still naked and opens his arms to her, helping her find the right spot on top of him where they are both comfortable, it makes her less self conscious, about her little factoid, her nudity, or that she's essentially slept with him right off.

She sighs and is about to ask about the giant butterfly, moth, when he speaks. "Tell me about Holland, about school." His voice is like molasses, and her words come out as slow.

"It lovely, and school is so hard, some times I might as well move onto campus, live in the library-"

"You don't live on campus?" She shakes her head. "Do you ride your bike into town?"

"Yes, I do."

"Oh, you must send me a picture of you on your bike. In a dress." He wants to text.

"Then I want updates on any stupid tattoos you get!" She counters.

"You think my tattoos are stupid?" He pouts, and she's captivated by that face.

"Very." She kissed both sparrows beaks. "But their also sexy."

He likes that, his dimples say so. Then he asks about Iceland and they talk for an hour or more before she's over him, swallowing his moans. They have another go in the morning before leaving, he's hard to convince that she'll be fine with an Uber. If he drives her, it'll blow their cover.

She wound up in his suv anyway.

For the next week they snuck out to warm up the backseat of his Range Rover, her mother's kitchen counter, his childhood bedroom, and then the inn again the night before she left. Just for a few hours, she'd told her mum she was going to the pub to say goodbye to mates.

Their goodbye meant his face remained her go-to for the next year whenever she was alone in her room, at night, missing him.

"Can I have you again, next year? For Christmas?" He'd asked.

Who could say no to that?

She faced those plans unafraid, the ones they made, for the whole next year.

#harry styles #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles fanfic #tis the damn season #winter wonderland #chapter 2

[cassiabaggins]

An Extra Burglar Chapter Nine: Goblin Town

A/N: Happy Halloween! This is a sort of topical chapter, I suppose? Anyway, happy Fili Friday, as well! Please reblog and leave a comment if you enjoyed this! 

Warnings: Canon-typical violence

Word Count: 4,050

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Tags: @demigoddesofchimichangagod @pistachiozombie @swoopswishsward @d3-iseefire @moony-artnstuff @legolasesboo522 @sage-willow-raven @underthemoon-n @legolaslovely @guardianofrivendell 

 Cassia wakes up quite quickly. You cannot stay half asleep while hurtling down a stone tunnel, and even less so when you land with a thud in a gigantic metal and wood cage. She lands on top of Fili and Kili, lucky to not land on the bottom of the pile, though Kili groans when she kicks him in the head. 

“What’s happening?” She asks, her heart in her throat. Fili grabs her arm. 

“I don’t know I—”

“Look out!” Someone cries and then suddenly they're beset on every side by creatures. Cassia thinks they may be Goblins; she isn't sure. They rush at them and grab them from all angles, dozens of hands snatching and grabbing and jostling, and the dwarves go wild.

Cassia and Fili are torn apart and he yells, “Get your hands off her!” grabbing a knife from somewhere and stabbing wildly. He reaches her and grabs her hand and she clings to his arm and from then on, the dwarves barely let the goblins touch her. At one point, Cassia witnesses Bifur bite a grotesque arm reaching for her. They're hustled along caverns and wooden walkways, and it's all Fili can do to keep hold of her. She can say with certainty that she has never been more frightened in her life, she feels near tears the whole time. She has no idea what’s going to happen, no sense of what is going on even, it’s just dwarves yelling and goblins screeching, and she clings to Fili as hard as she can. 

They're ushered out into a platform and Cassia is hidden away in the midst of the dwarves. Bofur takes off his hat and pushes it low on her head and makes a ‘shh’ motion. Fili and Kili are in front of her, hiding her with their bodies, and she’s glad of it. Even Thorin steps in front of her and easily draws any eyes away from her, being much more noticeable.

Sitting before them on a massive chair is the hugest, fattest, most grotesque being she has ever laid eyes on. It's (his?) skin is mottled yellow and covered in sores and leaking pus. Stringy hair hangs around its face and a crown of bones rests upon its brow. He (it?) is singing (although its more like yowling) about torture and crushing and other nasty things. Occasionally, the other goblins join in his song. It’s such a horridly loud noise that Cassia can’t help but to cover her ears. It hurts! 

"Clap, snap, the black crack Grip, grab, pinch, and nab Batter and beat Make ‘em stammer and squeak! Pound pound, far underground Down, down, down in Goblin Town (Down, down, down in Goblin Town)

“With a swish and smack And a whip and a crack Everybody talks when they’re on my rack Pound pound, far underground Down, down, down to Goblin Town (Down, down, down to Goblin Town)

“Hammer and tongs, get out your knockers and gongs You won't last long on the end of my prongs Clash, crash, crush and smash Bang, break, shiver and shake

“You can yammer and yelp But there ain't no help Pound pound, far underground Down, down, down in Goblin...Tooooooooooown

The Goblin King ends his song with a flourish and clambers back up onto his throne, crushing a few of his subjects to use as a stepstool. 

“Catchy, isn't it?” he asks, peering down at them with surprisingly intelligent (if grotesquely pus-filled) eyes, “it's one of my own compositions!”

Cassia frowns and leans towards Fili, attempting a joke through her fear, “it's a little pitchy.” He seems to understand her fright and reaches back, sliding his hand into hers. She clings to it like a lifeline.

“That's not a song,” Balin cries, seeming in agreement with her, “that's an abomination!” The other dwarves agree loudly. It truly is an awful song.

“Abominations!” The great goblin says, “mutations, deviations… That’s all you’re gonna find down here.” He spreads his arms to indicate the vast, tiered city. The walls of the cavern really are absolutely teeming with his kind. Cassia tightens her hold on Fili’s hand.

Just then, a few goblins elbow their way through the crowd and drop the Company’s weapons at his feet. Cassia can’t help but feel a little indignant at the sight of her sword resting on the top of the pile. The goblin’s have no right to it!

“Who would be so bold as to come armed into my Kingdom? Spies? Thieves? Assassins?!” The Goblin King scrambles out of his throne again, loaming huge above them. Cassia tries to be inconspicuous. 

“Dwarves, your malevolence,” one of the beasts says. “We found them on the front porch.”

“Dwarves?! Well, don't just stand there! Search them! Every crack, every crevice!”

The goblins take to the task with enthusiasm, and hands are suddenly all over Cassia, touching her in places she very much does not like. “Hands off!!!” She yelps, catching one in the gut with her foot and crossing her arms over her chest.

“Don't touch her!!!” Fili roars, striking out. The other dwarves fight the goblins off from her, bloodying noses and cracking a few limbs, but the Goblin King reaches over their heads, grabs her by the back of the shirt and hoists her into the air.

“Cassia! No!” Fili shouts, reaching out and missing her by mere centimeters. The other dwarves shout their own protests.

“What's this? Too soft and pale to be a dwarf! What are you?!”

"Let go of her!!!" Fili roars, lunging forward, but he's pounced upon and wrestled back in quick succession.

“I'm a hobbit!” she shouts, wriggling angrily. “Let me go!”

“Hobbit? Never heard of a Hobbit before! Sounds like dwarven lies!”

“I'm not lying! Let go!” She kicks out and catches him in the nose and he roars, throwing her at her companions. Cassia is caught by Bifur and Kili and shoved back into the circle of dwarves, to Fili, who’s fought himself free. He wraps his arms around her protectively. 

“Fili,” she breathes, knowing full well that if he goes into Durin’s Rage down here, he’ll be killed within seconds. “Fili, please stay calm.” She can feel his chest shuddering against her back and she rubs his hands. “Breathe, Fili.”

He takes a deep breath in response, his cheek pressing to the side of her head. His heartbeat is beginning to slow. She also notices Thorin put a steadying hand on Fili’s arm.

“It is my belief,” One of the goblins says, holding up an elven candlestick, “That they are in league with elves!” 

Cassia wonders briefly where in the world that came from. Then she spots Dori giving Nori a withering look. Oh.

The Goblin King grabs the candlestick, turning it this way and that. 

“Made… in… Rivendell,” he reads from the bottom, and scoffs. “Second Age. Couldn’t give it away.” He tosses the candlestick away into the depths of goblin town. 

“It’s just a couple of keepsakes,” Nori says, as if he hasn’t possibly doomed them all. Dori looks like he is going to strangle his younger brother, and Dwalin looks as if he’ll help. 

The Goblin King points at Cassia. “What are you then? Some sort of spawn of an elf and a dwarf? You’re too small to be an elf, and no beard so you cannot be a dwarf! What are you? Speak up!” 

“She doesn’t have to say anything!” Fili shouts, stepping in front of her. The other dwarves shout their agreement. The Goblin King knocks them aside with his scepter, catching Fili a particularly vicious blow in the shoulder.

“No one asked you, dwarf,” he spits. He jabs his scepter at Cassia, who is so angry at the way he’s hit Fili and the fact that he thinks she is some sort of dwarf-elf hybrid (perish the thought!) that she forgets to be scared.

“I’ve already said I’m a hobbit!” She shrieks, putting her fists on her hips and stomping her foot. She shakes her finger at him. “And a perfectly wellbred one at that!”

“There’s no good breeding down here,” the great goblin laughs, “only inbreeding.” He laughs wheezily. “What are you doing in these parts, hobbit?”

Thorin begins to step forward but Oin stops him.

“Don’t worry lads,” the elderly medic says, stepping forward. “I’ll handle this.”

“No tricks!” The Goblin King says. “I want the truth! Warts and all!”

“You’re going to have to speak up,” Oin says, holding up his ear trumpet. “Your boys flattened my trumpet.”

Cassia has the overwhelming urge to giggle at that, even despite her fear. Not because his trumpet is flattened (the poor dwarf can barely hear) but because Oin is perfectly indignant and has the gall to say something about it.

“I’ll flatten more than your trumpet!” The great goblin roars, storming toward them, and Cassia shrieks as the dwarves scramble back.

“If it’s for information you’re wantin’,” Bofur cries out, “I’m the one you should speak to!” 

The Goblin King pauses, and stares at him. “Mhm?”

The dwarf seems alarmed that that had worked and flounders for a few moments. Then, he rallies. “We were on the road. Well, it’s not so much a road as a path. Actually it's not even that, come to think of it. It’s more like a track. Anyway, the point is, we were on this road like a path like a track… and then we weren’t! Which is a problem because we were supposed to be in Dunland last Tuesday…” He looks back at the others, and Dori leaps to his rescue.

“Visiting distant relations!” He puts in.

Bofur nods, running with that. “Some inbreds on my mother’s side—”

“SHUT UP!!!!!” The Goblin King howls. His subjects cower, allowing Fili to scramble back to Cassia’s side, and Bofur shuts his mouth with a clop.

“If they will not talk,” the goblin says, “we'll make them squawk! Bring up the Mangler! Bring up the Bonebreaker! Start with the hobbit!” 

Cassia goes very, very still. 

"No!" Fili shouts, surging forward. 

“Fili, no!” Cassia screams as Bifur and Kili are thrown out of the way when they try to grab him and hold him back. The goblins stop him and slam his face to the ground viciously, and Fili goes limp, clearly dazed. She gasps. "Fili!"

“Wait!” Thorin says, stepping forward.

“Well, well, well,” the Goblin King jeers, quickly losing interest in Cassia, “look who it is! Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thrór, King Under The Mountain.” he bows mockingly. “But wait! You don't have a Mountain, do you? And you're not a King, which makes you no one, really.”

Thorin raises his chin proudly. Cassia can practically feel the rage pouring off him as she kneels next to Fili. The blonde dwarf groans and tries to get his arms underneath him. 

“You need to calm down,” Kili hisses to his older brother, hauling him upright. Fili grunts, wiping at his bleeding nose. Cassia stands and presses close to them. “I’m serious,” Kili continues. “Aren’t you meant to be the levelheaded one?”

“I know someone who would pay a pretty price for your head,” the Goblin King continues to Thorin, “just the head. Nothing attached. Perhaps you know of who I speak? An old enemy of yours. A Pale Orc. Astride a white warg.”

Thorin finally speaks. The idea of his old enemy still living is enough to begin to crack his shell. His voice trembles a little with barely concealed rage.

“Azog the Defiler was destroyed,” Thorin spits. “He was slain in battle long ago.” 

“So you think his Defiling days are done, do you?” The Goblin King says mockingly. He turns to one of his subjects. “Send word to the Pale Orc. Tell him I have found his prize.” As the goblin skitters off, he turns back to the Company. “Now then. We only need the one dwarf,” He surveys them with a grotesque grin. “So let’s have some fun.”

Cassia hears clattering and scraping behind them, and out of the corner of her eye sees a whole lot of great, nasty-looking contraptions brought up, machines whose uses she can only guess at, and all the guesses are awful. 

The Goblin King surveys them again, and his eyes land on Fili, who looks rather worse for wear, blood staining his mustache. Cassia’s heart lurches. “What about this blond one? He looks fun, eh Oakenshield?” Horror sweeps over Thorin’s face, just briefly, but the great goblin spots it. “What’s this? Is this dwarf special to you? A son?” Thorin clams up again, and Fili bears his teeth, refusing to be afraid. “No,” the Goblin King continues, “Not a son. He doesn’t look similar enough. A nephew, maybe?” Cassia doesn’t see what Thorin does, but it’s met with a slow grin. “Ah! Hit the nail on the head, have I?” The gigantic goblin throws his head back in a laugh. Fili is dragged forward, despite the struggling of the dwarves, his hand torn away from Cassia. 

“Kili!” Fili cries frantically, “Don’t let Cassia—” He’s silenced by a blow to the head, but his brother gets the idea, grabbing the lass and pulling her back. Cassia feels sick. She’s convinced she’s about to see the person she loves be tortured...

But then, all of a sudden several goblins cry out and Orcrist is thrown to the ground, partly unsheathed.That is what saves Fili.

But ultimately dooms them all...

The Goblin King rears back, clambering on to his throne. “I know that sword!” He cries, “it is the Goblin-Cleaver! The Biter! The Blade That Sliced A Thousand Necks! Slash them! Beat them! Kill them! Kill them all!”

Cassia gasps, only able to watch as Thorin is being wrestled to the ground. There’s nothing she can do, since she really can’t fight at all, and all the dwarves are as beset as she is, kicking and screaming, she's grappled to the ground, and she’s terrified and convinced she’s going to die. She can barely breathe from the weight of the goblins on top of her, when suddenly, blessedly, it’s gone.

“Mizimelûh!” someone shouts, and Cassia, though she doesn’t know the dwarvish word, knows it is directed at her. She rolls over and sees Fili for a brief moment, before he’s dragged down again. “Run!” he roars. 

And then, there's a great white light and a force that's like a thousand raging winds and they are all blown back and to the ground. Cassia is one of the first to recover, having been on the ground already, and she sits up slowly, brushing her hair out of her face.

Gandalf emerges from the darkness, and she has never seen a more beautiful sight.

“Take up arms!” The wizard commands. “Fight. Fight!”

There's the clattering of weapons and shouting of dwarves and Fili drops to his knees beside her. He smooths her hair off her face. 

“Are you hurt?"  he asks, looking her up and down. Cassia shakes her head. Her breath is coming is harsh, terrified pants and she grabs on to him and doesn’t let go. He hugs her tightly, then drags her to her feet.

"Don't let go of me!” He instructs, snatching her sword out of the air as it's thrown towards them and handing it to her. “Understand?”

She nods, holding his hand tightly, and the next thing she knows, they’re running. Cassia doesn’t really remember what happens, except from time to time she is passed from dwarf to dwarf. The goblins are trying their damndest to stop them, and Cassia is very glad of her sword and Fili’s fighting lessons, and even manages to cut off a few hands and fingers as they run, although most of the goblins are thrown out of her way by the others.

They all burst out of the more winding places and onto a bridge and suddenly the Goblin King explodes from the bridge to stand before them, blocking their path. The rest of his subjects swarm up behind them, covering their escape from that direction, too. 

Fili pushes Cassia behind him, his arm in front of her protectively, Kili at her back, so she’s sandwiched between them. 

“You thought you could escape me?” The Goblin King jeers, and swings his scepter at Gandalf. Cassia yelps as the wizard falls back, caught by Ori and Nori.

“What are you going to do now, wizard?”

Gandalf surges forward and jabs the Goblin King in the face with his staff and slices him open with Glamdring.

“That'll do it,” the monster says. Gandalf cuts his throat. 

Then, the whole bridge crumbles and the bottom of the world just seems to fall away. Cassia’s stomach is in her throat and she screams, grabbing on to Fili. He pulls her against his side as the bridge (miraculously intact) slides down the rocks as if it were a gigantic sled. Only much, much more dangerous. 

Down, down, down they careen through the canyon, occasionally catching and skittering on rocks and in tight places. Cassia is quite glad she isn’t the only one yelling.

Their descent stutters as the ends of their makeshift sled catches between the sides of the cavern, and then they hit the ground with a jarring thud that has Cassia’s teeth rattling around in her skull and the wooden bridge finally falling to pieces.

She is spared from being hit by most of the debris by Fili's body, thankfully, as he covers her head with his arms. 

Gandalf reaches in and lifts her out by the back of the shirt (rather like the Goblin King had, only much gentler) as easily as if she had been a small animal. 

“Well,” Bofur says, “that could have been worse!”

The Goblin King's corpse lands atop the dwarves, immediately proving him wrong, and they all cry out.

In the brief moment of peace they have, Cassia realizes something horrible. She looks around frantically as her companions scramble slowly out from the rubble, her heart in her throat, but the person she is looking for is nowhere to be found. 

"Where's my brother?" She asks Fili, who has come over to her.

"What?" He queries. She opens her mouth to repeat herself, but is interrupted.

"Gandalf!" Kili yells, pointing up the way they had come. Hundreds of goblins are swarming down toward them. 

“There’s too many of them!” Dwalin shouts, dragging Nori to his feet. “We can’t fight them!”

"Only one thing can save us now!” The wizard says. “Daylight. Run!”

Fili grabs Cassia’s arm, dragging her along. "Come on!"

"Fili!" She cries, pulling back, "Where's my brother?! Where's Bilbo!" She can’t leave without Bilbo!

"Cassia!" He shouts. "We don't have time for this!"

"But—" 

Fili scoops her up and throws her over his shoulder. 

"Put me down!" She shrieks, punching his shoulder, "put me down, you beast! Let me go!" But she is tiny and her fists are next to useless against his back. Fili just tightens his iron grip around her legs, and runs. She can't do anything but scream at him. 

.

Finally, he lowers her back to the ground. They're out in the sunlight, now, goblins left far behind. As soon as he lets go of her, she whirls on him and shoves him. He doesn't even budge, because he is solid and strong, like a mountain. "How could you do that?!" She screams at him. "I hate you!" She doesn't, really, because she could never feel anything but love for him, but he still looks stricken. 

"Cassia, I—"

"Shut up!" She screams at him, punching his chest. "Shut up!!! I told you he was missing and you made me leave him behind! I hate you!"

"Miss Baggins!" Gandalf says, "Cassia! Whatever is the matter?”

"We left Bilbo behind!" She wails to him. 

There is an instant uproar.

"Where is he!" Gandalf shouts, "where is Bilbo?!"

"I thought he was with Dori!" Someone shouts.

"Now don't blame this on me!"

"I saw him slip away when they first collared us!" Nori cries.

“Well, what happened exactly?” Gandalf commands, “Tell me!”

"We left him behind," Cassia sobs, her tears coming hard and fast now, "and I tried to say something but Fili carried me off!" She whirls back on him. "I hate you! I'll never forgive you!"

"Cassia—" he tries again.

"You could've gotten killed!" Kili interjects.

"I don't care!" She screams at him, "he's my brother! Wouldn't you do the same?!" Kili has no words, because of course he would. 

“I’ll tell you what happened,” Thorin snarls, and Cassia is quite sure she’s going to hate him for whatever will come out of his mouth next. “Master Baggins saw his chance and he took it. He has thought of nothing but his soft bed and his warm hearth since first he stepped out of his door. We will not be seeing our hobbit again. He is long gone.”

She gasps indignantly. Her brother is missing, possibly dead, and all Thorin cares about is that fact that he may have run off?! “Shut your mouth!” Cassia shrieks. Shockingly, Thorin does, his eyebrows raising. “He wouldn’t do that! He’s not like that!” She steps forward toward Thorin, and Fili grabs her around the waist. It’s a good thing, too, because she is in such a state of rage that she would undoubtedly have slapped the dwarf king if she had reached him. “He’s come all this way to help you! We both have! And all you’ve done is be horribly rude and awful toward him. If he did run off, it’s because you drove him away, you absolute—”

She doesn’t have a chance to finish her insult, though, because, oh joy of joys, her brother’s voice rings out. 

“No one’s driven anyone off!”

They all turn. Bilbo is standing just behind them all, looking a bit scratched up (they all do), but alive. Cassia screams. 

“Bilbo!” 

Fili lets her go and she throws herself at her brother, arms around his neck, face in his shoulder. Bilbo stumbles a little, but hugs her back. She can hear the dwarves making little relieved noises at the fact that he is alive and well. “I thought we’d left you back there,” Cassia sobs. "I thought you were dead!"

“I know,” he mumbles. “But you didn’t. I’m perfectly fine!"

“We’d given you up!” Kili cries, relief clear in his voice.

“How on earth did you get past the goblins?” Fili queries. Cassia pulls back from Bilbo. That is a very good question. 

“Bilbo?” she asks. 

Her brother flounders for a moment, before Gandalf speaks up. “Well,” the wizard says, “what does it matter? He’s back!”

“It matters,” Thorin declares, eying Bilbo suspiciously. “I want to know. Why did you come back? Was it just for your sister?”

Cassia finds herself frowning. As angry as she still is with the dwarf king, he does have a point. Bilbo had seemed quite ready to up and leave immediately after the giants, and ready enough to drag her with him. Perhaps he still means to leave, but was unable to without her. She peers at Bilbo. He sighs. 

“Part of it was for Cassia. She’s my sister. I can’t abandon her. And… and I know you doubt me. I know you always have.” He glances around at the other dwarves. “And you’re right. I often think of Bag End.” He shrugs. “I miss my books. And my armchair. And my bed. See, that’s where I belong. That’s home. And that’s why I came back. Because… you don’t have one. A home. It was taken from you. But I will help you take it back, if I can.”

There is a silence, and no one says anything, waiting for Thorin, who just looks at Bilbo for a long time. Then, to everyone's surprise, he nods his head to Bilbo, in a sign of thanks, and perhaps a little bit of respect. The relief that washes over the Company is palpable. But it doesn't last for long.

All of a sudden, from up the mountain, there comes the far too familiar howling of wargs. Cassia’s heart leaps in her throat. Not again! Not now!

“Out of the frying pan,” Thorin mumbles. 

“And into the fire,” Gandalf finishes. “Run. Run!”

#fili friday #fili x oc #thorin oakenshield #bilbo baggins #fili #kili #hobbit oc #fili x cassia #oc x canon #cassia baggins #my oc #my writing #an extra burglar

[lovelikedestiny]

Happy Birthday @gildingthemoon!!!

I wish you a wonderful day to celebrate and all the best in the world! <3 Today belongs only to you and I hope a lot of people tell you what an incredible human being you are!

I want to gift you with a small, fluffy, happy TOG-oneshot and thank you for being an amazing beta who fights against all errors in my drafts and is delighted by the German sayings I still use unintentionally! I’m very glad to have ‘met’ you! I hope you’ll like the oneshot and you’re grinning like a honey-cake-horse as we say here ;)

*throws a big hug at you* <3

The little things

Under the midnight blue velvet of the night in the empty streets of Malta Joe looks like a celestial being and Nicky feels himself enchanted by his appearance. By his wide, flashing smile, those warm, deep eyes which are surrounded by lovely crinkles and radiate so much emotion that Nicky sometimes has the feeling his heart couldn’t cope with the amount of happiness Joe’s very existence has gifted him with.

When they're out and about and the sun makes Joe's golden skin glow and kisses his silky-soft curls with warm rays, turning his eyes into obsidian and onyx, just so much more precious than all jewelry in the world, Nicky occasionally forgets how to breathe. Of course, after more than 900 years, he knows what his love looks like and knows him better than himself, but that doesn't change the fact that Joe is still beautiful. Beautiful and a constant at his side, who always manages to lead Nicky out of any darkness back into the light.

A cheerful, warm constant that walks by Nicky's side tonight and is the most beautiful thing Nicky has ever seen.

He promptly stumbles over the sidewalk and staggers a few steps before he manages to get hold of himself, hears Joe giggling behind him and has to grin too.

They’re not totally drunk. 

The pleasant warmth in his stomach and the feeling of lightness confirm Nicky in his conclusion and he tightens his grip on Joe's hand as the latter helps him regain his balance. They are only slightly drunk, if at all. Drunk? No. Tipsy! That's the word Nicky was looking for. They're tipsy, he states with satisfaction.

"Careful, my heart," Joe says with a chuckle. “We don't want you to fall on your pretty face. It would be a real shame if you’d hurt yourself today. I like the blue shirt.”

"Really?" Nicky asks, lips curled up into a small grin, pulling Joe a little closer, who willingly follows the movement.

"Really," Joe says grinning and lets his eyes slide so clearly over Nicky's appearance that he thinks he can feel Joe's gaze like a delicate touch. “It accentuates your eyes and your shoulders. And those pants…” He flicks Nicky on the ass. "... also emphasize an area of ​​yours that is very close to my heart. I could easily come up with ideas.”

Nicky shudders when Joe looks at him from below through his eyelashes with a look he knows all too well. Heat surges through his veins and he smiles mischievously and nudges Joe's nose. "I hope they are good ideas."

"Hm," Joe hums approvingly and hooks his fingers into the loops of Nicky's belt to pull him closer. "Very good ideas."

It's so easy to tilt his head, angling it just right, and put his lips on Joe’s who has already moved towards his mouth. Flowers of red fire bloom behind Nicky's closed lids, shooting stars of silvery light and suns of golden embers.

He enjoys the passion that surges through his veins, a steady stream that has never stopped flowing since Nicky first kissed those soft lips, which can enthusiastically recite poetry, are twisted in concentration while drawing, can smile so warmly that Nicky's heart glows, showing him how much Joe loves him when they get lost in each other's bodies amid sheets and pillows.

Nicky is convinced that they are doing good in the world. They protect the innocent, they are their shield in battle and their sword when they cannot hold one themselves and he believes in what they are doing. Just as much as he believes in his family, in Joe. But even if they can make a difference in everyday life with their good deeds, there is something essential that should not be overlooked.

The little things.

Like the sultry air that dances around them through the warmth of the day and the dark sky in front of whose midnight blue canvas the moon shines large and silver. Like Joe's elegant artist hands, which he could feel blindly and which lie firmly and securely on his hips and pull him closer to the glowing, muscular body. Like the fruity taste of good wine on Joe's tongue and the salty sweat from dancing on his lips. Like the familiar tickling of his beard on Nicky's chin and the soft texture of his curls, in which Nicky buries his fingers and elicits Joe a rumble, which Nicky catches and tastes in his mouth.

It's those little things that should be cherished.

Distant laughter causes them to break the kiss, and Nicky tries to fight the urge not to pounce on Joe again when he whines softly and tries to hold on to Nicky.

Some time ago it wasn't even possible to hold Joe in public or simply to interlace their fingers. And even if there are still people who make the world more terrible than it could be, Nicky is infinitely grateful that in most countries he is allowed to kiss the other half of his heart. To kiss Joe and laugh and dance and live with him.

As soon as Nicky thinks that, Joe starts humming and grabs Nicky's hands just to rock them gently back and forth. His eyes are soft with tenderness and Nicky can feel his heart cramp from the affection he feels towards Joe.

Even though they have been together for more than nine hundred years and Nicky knows Joe better than himself, there are still new things they learn about each other. New habits that they develop, new preferences that they discover. In moments like these, when it's just the two of them in their own bubble of peace, Nicky finds no doubt about their relationship, their solid bond that binds them invisibly and is as strong as ever.

Of course, he is much older than most people on this planet and accordingly has a lot more experience, but uncertainties still exist. It is not uncommon for Nicky to lose himself in thought because nagging doubts about a decision he has made corrode him from the inside. They make mistakes in their jobs doing good because they are human. Everybody makes mistakes.

Joe is the only thing in Nicky's long life that he never doubted. An indispensable support that gives him security, just like Nicky will always have Joe's back.

Because Joe is his heart and soul.

Too many words to say and too few words to express how Nicky feels about Joe are on his tongue, so Nicky joins Joe's humming before he starts to sing softly.

Nicky has no problem with being the center of attention, but he prefers to disappear into the background and watch everything from there. If you overlook him or he does not attract attention, others tend to underestimate him and his abilities and he has already used this to his advantage several times.

Joe is the only audience Nicky will ever need, and the knowing flash in Joe's eyes and glowing smile are the only applause Nicky really wants.

Although he and Joe often sing songs together - evenings when Nicky cooks and Joe assists him while they use a wooden spoon as a microphone and Joe starts swinging the kitchen towel while dancing are one of the best - Joe stays silent.

Swaying them gently, Joe's whole focus is on Nicky, who continues to sing a song as old as time itself, tied to precious memories that only they and no one else share. Nicky sings for Joe like he often does when Joe asks him to or he sits down in the kitchen while Nicky can't get rid of a catchy tune while cutting vegetables.

Nicky sings for Joe because Joe is the song that springs from his heart and is embedded in his bones.

As he turns Joe around, Joe laughs exuberantly and the sound reverberates in Nicky like the precious echo of a long-forgotten chiming of a bell.

"I love it when you sing," Joe says, releasing Nicky to give him a little applause, for which Nicky gives an exaggerated bow. It is not easy to stay on his feet, but since the alcohol doesn’t exist that long in their body due to their healing, Nicky doesn’t worry too much about his balance.

"I love you," Nicky replies and Joe dramatically presses a hand on his heart.

"People call me the poet, but it's your words that take my breath away, habibi." He winks at Nicky and Nicky is pretty sure that he looks back with a stupid grin.

Nicky doesn't know if it's such a good idea to climb the rock at the side of the street, but before he can change his mind he has reached the top and looks down at Joe, who is watching him with amusement.

"I could take your breath away with something other than words," he says bluntly, enjoying the effect it has on Joe. Joe swallows hard, blushing slightly, which Nicky doesn't even need to see to know it's happening. Just like the dark fire that makes Joe's eyes burn.

"Is that a challenge?" Joe asks roughly and bites his lip with a grin, causing Nicky to almost fall off the stone. He catches himself in time, but would have had no problem with falling into Joe's arms.

"A promise," he corrects smirking and Joe takes a step towards the stone and tilts his head back slightly to meet Nicky's gaze.

"Are you being funny tonight, Mr. Al-Kaysani?"

"With such good company, indeed, Mr. Di Genova."

They both giggle like silly teenagers and Joe raises an arm in the air and paces up and down in front of the stone like he's on a stage. “Standing like a Greek God on a rock,” he begins to recite. "Moonlight pouring over you and you have a beautiful..."

"Cock," Nicky finishes deadpan and Joe gasps and runs into a nearby street lantern.

"I didn't mean to say that!" He protests with a meaningful smile on his face and helps Nicky jump more or less graceful off the stone.

"You thought it, I said it," Nicky says and blinks innocently at Joe, who laughs and sways slightly.

“We complement each other perfectly, huh? Such an extraordinary coincidence.” Joe nudges him right in the side where Nicky is ticklish and the snorting laugh bursts out of Nicky inexorably as he tries to turn away from Joe.

“Didn't you read the contract? A perfect match has to be guaranteed in order to be in a relationship for nine hundred years,” Nicky says snickering and Joe pretends to be amazed.

“I had no idea about that! I always leave paperwork to you.”

Nicky nods, playing seriously. "Furthermore, the contract requires that I enjoy a cuddle at least three times a week."

"Phew, luckily I have received the world cuddler Award."

"I know. I can rightly confirm that you truly deserve this title."

It is uncertain what the night will bring them, they have made no plans. Nevertheless, the random brushing of their hands and the lingering of their pinkies on the back of the other’s hand are certain indications of what the rest of the night might look like.

"I don't need any more than confirmation of my love."

"You deserve all the acknowledgment in the world because you are expensive."

"Expensive? Do you mean ‘worth it’? ”Joe frowns. “Or was it precious? Who knows what we oh! That was an alliteration!"

"What?" Alliteration sounds a little bit like alligator in Nicky's mind, and he really hopes Joe hasn't seen one. "What was what?"

“An alliteration, you know. When we want words which...haha! Another one!”

Nicky follows Joe's gaze. "Where? Oh, that's just a cat."

"Ah, Nicolo." Joe shakes his head slightly and laughs softly to himself.

"What is it?" Nicky doesn't remember saying anything funny. "Do you want to share your thoughts? A nickel for your thoughts or whatever they say."

"I think it was a coin for your thoughts. Or dollars?”

Nicky has to snort and Joe starts laughing too. "It does not matter. We could continue this conversation at home.”

"Continue it at home?" Joe repeats indignantly. "Nicolo, we were in the middle of a conversation about stilistic means!"

"Okay, uh...if you’re able to come up with another alliteration, I'll do the thing with my tongue at home," Nicky says without thinking, completely relieved of the worries the world has in store for them, through Joe's mere presence and Malta as their retreat.

Joe laughs and raises his eyebrows. "The thing with the tongue? Ya amar, I have no idea what you’re ta- oh. Oh.“ When Joe understands, he stops abruptly, eyes widening. “Lima? Do you mean...Do you mean Lima?”

Nicky nods and keeps walking, grinning, causing Joe to pull himself out of his freeze and rush after him. "Do you really mean Lima? Oh my god, you can't just say something like that and keep walking!”

"So you are not interested?" 

Joe almost chokes. “Not intere...Nicolo! It is impossible that I am not interested in it! The thing with your tongue, Lima, sweet heavens! That was...that was…” Joe seems to remember Nicky's condition and squints his eyes in concentration. "On it. How much time do I have?"

While Joe is thinking hard, Nicky indulges in the serenity of strolling and reaches for Joe's hand, which Joe withdraws and places on something else.

"Yusuf?"

"Yes?"

"That is not my hand."

"Oh sorry, I guess I got a little confused in the dark," Joe says, grinning, but doesn't take his hand off Nicky's ass.

It’s the little things, Nicky thinks by himself as he watches Joe muttering under his breath and then throwing Nicky a beaming smile when he has an idea for another alliteration. It’s the little things that make this imperfect world so perfect. 

#happy birthday #gildingthemoon #the old guard #oneshot #take the mistakes as what they are: loving gifts for each of you #this draft had the title 'Nicky and Joe are drunk and adorable' on my laptop

[peterstanslizzie]

Reacting To: Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts (Season 3 Episode 2)

Episode Title: Code Word Milkshake

Spoiler Warning: Kindly proceed if you’ve already seen the episode or are able to handle spoilers 

1. OMG! A K-pop song? That’s so cool! It sounds like BTS lol. And the song is pretty catchy too 🎵; “Dive into my ocean of love”. It’s such a bop! We see the mutes (even the Mod Frogs) fangirling HARD. But what animals are these guys supposed to be? Are they dolphins? But why do they have horns? And apparently abs as well: 

2. Aww but the leader of the group, Hyun Soo (as revealed in the subtitles) soon gets paralyzed by a dart and is kidnapped after signing fan autographs. And of course, it’s the doing of Dr. Emilia as she’s seen testing a serum sample on Hyun Soo. Again, I’m impressed with her ability to be so stealthy. However, she’s finding it difficult in getting the right formula for the genetic serum since none of the samples she’s used so far has worked on the kidnapped mutes. BTW, Jamack talking to Hyun Soo is hilarious. 

3. In Timbercat Village, Kipo is planning with HMUFA a mission to find Emilia, rescue their friends and retrieve Song’s research journal. Oh, did Asher get a haircut? If so, they look really nice.

4. Our boy, Benson wants Troy to come along because he feels safer when he’s around. How precious! I’m  happy he gets to go on a mission with Kipo for the first time too. It’s nice to mix groups up sometimes. And it looks like it’s just gonna be a human/hybrid-only mission because the mutes won’t be able to handle Emilia’s sonic emitter. Dave is upset that he won’t be able to tag along with them. I think it’s a good thing to sit this one out because he does have a tendency to die during their missions lol.

5. They manage to hitch a ride on a couple of dragonfly mutes due to Kipo coming up with the codeword, “Milkshake” to keep situations calm.  Random but okay. As they’re flying over the sea, they spot a ship, which definitely belongs to Emilia since we hear Zane asking Greta to turn on the sonic emitter as some mysterious sea creature was circling around them. Because the dragonflies are not immune to the sound, this causes them all to fall into the water

6. The group tries to climb over the ship to get a peek of the situation aboard and they can see the burrow humans enjoying their time there, splish-splashing in a giant pool paired with a crazy slide and everything. 

7. Dave lets Lio and Roberto know that he wants to have a boys night out (BNO) with them. But it’s clear that he’s doing this because he still feels salty about not being included in the stealth mission. Roberto looks like he doesn’t want to go out but Lio is down to hangout with Dave-o lol. 

8. Back on the Dr. Emilia’s ship, Kipo and gang try to find her lab but they almost got spotted by a blonde human girl, who apparently is able to hear Hyun Soo  sing through the cafeteria vents and thus, wants him to sing for her. Kipo and Troy actually recognize her from their old burrow. She’s actually Hoag’s daugther, Doag! I can’t believe he named his daughter that lol. Anyways, they were all actually friendly with one another, so we shall see if she’s willing to help them or not. Doag really likes dancing and we see her dancing around to Hyun Soo’s singing. She then does a split and spots them. Well, she doesn’t look alarmed actually. 

9. Meanwhile, Dave and Lio are playing cards but afterward, they went to check out the so-called “community bonding” session between Timbercats and the Umlaut snakes. At first, it seems like they are having a huge argument but they’re actually just writing a song and having a couple of debates. It’s song-break time. This time, the song is called ‘Friendship Alliance’. How fitting. After the performance, Lio says he wants to go to bed but Dave isn’t done yet and wants him to check out his secret stash of explosion berry cola.

10. Doag explains to the group that Dr. Emilia has been treating them nicely so far but they want her to know the truth about Emilia who has been trying to kill Kipo since she was a baby. Plus, according to Troy (and Benson from earlier on), she didn’t eat his Benson’s pancakes. Troy is way more upset about the part about the pancakes, which of course he has to be since it’s his boo’s pancakes. But my goodness, Doag’s voice is like nails on the chalkboard. Don’t you agree? 

11. I think it’s hard for them to convince her that Dr. Emilia is a bad person, especially since they don’t have any real evidence to show. Emilia is like a savior to these humans. Fortunately, Doag wants to help them rescue Boom-Boom, Jamack, Camille and Hyun Soo regardless. 

12. She takes them to Dr. Emilia’s lab, which isn’t very hidden like they said lol. The door’s locked but Troy, the skilled magician was able to pick the lock no problem. Benson is impressed and he actually addressed him as his boyfriend! Cute!

13. They enter the lab and we see all the kidnapped mutes trapped in their individual mute-proof cells. Aww the way Jamack called Kipo, Burrow Girl was so sweet. He has come a really long way with her since Season 1 huh? I don’t know what’s up with Boom-Boom but she(?) doesn’t look too good, almost unhinged. So, Hyun Soo is known as a Dolphicon! I guess that’s short for Dolphin and Unicorn. That’s explains the horn. I actually like the name “Wall Siren” for him as well. Despite only speaking in Korean, Hyun Soo does seem to understand English when Doag asks him “who are you?”. I feel like the introduction of Hyun Soo is like paying homage to Kipo’s animation studio, Studio Mir, which is in fact South Korean. 

14. Kipo proceeds to then break them out of their cells. Doag declares she’s going to help them escape. I actually hope there’s a chance that she would be part of Kipo’s group officially. She seems cool, mostly lol. Wolf also finds Song’s research journal but before they could make their escape, the traumatized Boom-Boom looks at the needles Dr. Emilia has been using on her, freaks out and drops her nectar bombs on them, which causes the whole lab to explode.  Boom-Boom needs therapy for sure. Ughh…Wolf also accidentally drops the journal and leaves it behind the lab. That book is probably destroyed. 

15. Back at Timbercat village, I assume Lio had already drank the cola before he is super hyped. Yumyan also joins in on their shenanigans and he gives them the idea to steal Molly’s axe and put it in an axe bush (is that what Yumyan said?). Also, is this supposed to be a pun or something?

16. Doag puts Hyun Soo in their getaway boat but it’s weird since he’s a dolphin and can just swim in the water instead lol. They’re supposed to leave now but Kipo wants to face Emilia now. I say she’s making a bad decision here. Dr. Emilia then arrive with Greta and Zane but Wolf takes out the latter two easily. The rest of the humans come out to the deck to see what the ruckus is all about and Emilia tries to play coy and innocent with them. 

17. Hoag notices that his daughter isn’t around. Our heroes try to explain to the humans that Dr. Emilia is the bad guy; They told about how Song is the Mega Monkey and how she got her to attack and destroy their home back in Season 1. And they explain that she mind-controlled Song to kill her own daughter. 

Even grandma can deliver a beatdown on someone lol

18.The humans are reluctant to believe them because it does sound very farfetched. But c’mon…they should know by know that Las Vistas is a messed up place; Anything can happen. Also, don’t they remember the Mega Monkey saving them from getting gilded in Season 2. Suddenly, Hoag makes an attempt to paralyze Kipo with one of the darts but she quickly reacts and knocks him out. The humans see this and they get mad at her. Eventually, Kipo and the others make their escape. Finally. 

19. Back to Lio and Dave. We find out towards the end that Molly actually killed Dave 5 times for the stunt he pulled on her lol. Anyways, the both of them are glad to have this bonding session with one another since Kipo isn’t around. 

20. Our heroes reach land but Doag wants to go back because she knows her dad is worried sick about her. And so, Hyun Soo and I guess the rest of his groupmates are bringing her back there. Aww, she should’ve stayed but I understand why she wants to go back to the ship. But to be honest, somebody should’ve thought to give her a communicator or a walkie-talkie or something because at least they can know what Dr. Emilia’s next move is. Perhaps they don’t really have to think too much into it since the journals has been decimated and all…or is it?

21. Wolf, I hope you’re happy you dropped the journal lol. Dr. Emilia figures out that Kipo is X. Wait, I’m trying to remember if there any mention of X in the previous episodes. Anyways, I wonder what she’s going to do with the fur Kipo left during their last confrontation. I guess since Kipo is a human who also has the DNA of apex predators, Emilia is going to play with her recombinant DNA and figure out a way to reverse the effects of the mute DNA so that only the normal DNA will be present? I dunno….

22. Last note/tiny bit of criticism: Is it just me or do you guys sometimes think that some of the character designs look a little wonky in this episode? Sometimes, I felt like Kipo, Benson and even Troy look a little off in some frames. Anyways, that’s the end of my review of episode 2. Stay tuned tomorrow for my review of episode 3. Thanks for reading everybody!

#kipo #dreamworks kipo #netflix kipo #dreamworks animation #kipo and the age of wonderbeasts #troy x benson #troyson #dave #wolf #mandu #benson #lio #song #mega monkey #mega jaguar #kpop #studio mir #BTS #lgbt representation #lgbt animation #lgbt cartoons #lgbtq #gay couples #gay characters #code word #milkshake #episode review #episode recap

[yeaahishowedupatyourparty]

Red & the meaning of it’s songs for Lottie. I just feel like doing this is going to help me build her narrative more, there might be some open spots in here but I doubt it. Also, as I said in the chat, it just helps everyone differentiate her from Holly because they both use Taylor’s albums for their character development! Hope that makes sense :) 

1. State Of Grace - Moving to New York and a dedication to all of the friend’s she’s made there. It’s the first time she’s been settled properly in one place and I think it’s about the intense excitement and love she feels for her academy already. She’s met Yasmine, Salem, and so many others and it’s track number 1, because she sees it as the opening to a really exciting new chapter.  2. Red - Elijah! This was her first boyfriend and they drifted as they grew up and moved on to different things. She has no ideas he’s into guys and that doesn’t really matter, anyway. She’s accepted that they’re over but the relationship is always romanticised in her head and moving on fully will probably never be an option.  3. Treacherous - Her first crush at Liberty was Avery and it hit hard. She was intensely pissed off when she didn’t get the reciprocation she wanted but after ‘Better than Revenge’ on Speak Now, she knows better than to put people on blast TOO hard. So, she went down the lovesick route and created this beautiful song. She knows that nothing’s going to come of it, but she can’t fully leave him alone. It’s a little less intense now that all of the academies are together though, because she doesn’t see him as much. 4. I Knew You Were Trouble - This plot is still work in progress, but it’ll be dedicated to Ethan. The two of them have got closer through attending Liberty and he’s attracted to her on a physical level; but nothing more. He’s mainly hooking up with her to prove a point to Addy and it’s working. They’re never official but even still, when she realises/the truth comes out, I think she’ll put her “Stop putting people on blast” attitude out of the window and release this because she won’t be happy.  5. All Too Well - I think All Too Well is really easy to interpret as heartbreak, but Lottie’s meant to be more calculated than that. So, even though it’s very much a heartfelt song and really emotional...she’s crafted it to be that way. It’ll be about Ethan and the purpose of it will be to get the general public and fans on side. She knows it tugs at heart-strings and while I Knew You Were Trouble is a bop, All Too Well is designed to give her the vulnerability that everybody loves to see. In reality, she’s not as hurt about it as she’s pretending.  6. 22 - Every single album has a song about or inspired by Annabel because she’s hands down the most important person in Lottie’s world. I feel Lottie would have grown up hearing Annabel’s stories about St Judes, her adventures and the friends she made. Lottie wrote this song when she got accepted into Liberty, knowing that she’d be having the same thing, and in a weird way feels more connected to her Mum than ever. The line “Everything will be alright if you keep me next to you” kind of points to how much she still relies on Annabel and knows her Mum will guide her through anything that gets hard in the next few years. She basically feels as if she’s her Mum when she was 22.  7. I Almost Do - Elijah. This would be an older song and I think it’d be written when she first started feeling the distance between them. This is probably the least complicated meaning on the album, oop.  8. We Are Never Getting Back Together - NOBODY LOL She just knew it’d get people talking and was catchy and it’ll be one she always acts as if it’s a huge secret who it’s about. 9. Stay Stay Stay - Again, it needs a little bit more development but Flynn is the second guy she’s had a major crush on. He’s really good to her and they have a lovely friendship, but she’s also keeping him at arms length because she knows her career plan is going to end up screwing over a lot of people and their reputations and she doesn’t want him to be one of them. It’s also about how he seems to genuinely like her and not care as much about how successful she is/what she can or cant offer him.  10. The Last Time - All Too Well, part 2. Just to REALLY drive home the fact that Ethan’s hurt her feelings, it’s all his fault and people should feel bad for her. Forget the fact she also knew he was one of the star basketball players and dating him would help boost the attention for ‘Red.’ That’s irrelevant...Obviously.  11. Holy Ground - She wrote this during her visit to St Judes and again, with her parents in mind. For them, Violet Springs is where it all started and I think she would’ve done something really sentimental like visited Annabel’s old dorm room or asked her Mum to take her to the place where they first met. This one tells their story more than any of theirs.  12. Sad Beautiful Tragic - Another one about Elijah. I feel like this is probably the shadiest song she’s written about him and here’s why...’Sad beautiful tragic love affair’ almost implies that something happened or somebody was wrong - and, of course, Lottie’s RARELY going to put herself in the shoes of the villain in any of her stories, so it very subtly nudges people to feel like Elijah did something. He didn’t, though, but one of Lottie’s weaknesses is making things up in her head until she believes them to be fact. There was definitely a stage where she thought he’d found somebody else, so this was the result.  13. The Lucky One - For Violet! Lottie’s been in the music industry for a little longer than most, just because Drew and Annabel let her be home-schooled for a few years while she worked on her debut. I think she sees a lot of herself in Violet and it’s somebody she genuinely cares about. It’s written almost like a fable about fame and trying to warn her that she needs to keep her feet on the ground or she’ll get hurt.  14. Everything Has Changed - I REALLY DON’T LIKE THIS SONG, I FIND IT HARD TO CARE ABOUT. She does have a vague connection with Fae’s new character, Jace, though, so I’ll fill this in when we’ve got a better idea of what it’s all about.  15. Starlight - Her second song about being in New York and starting life at Liberty. Lottie’s version of ‘Red’ is about living life at maximum intensity, which is what she feels like at the moment. She feels like this is the most alive and new she’ll ever be and her passion for everything is burning, so Starlight is another song that expresses that.  16. Begin Again - Flynn and Elijah, ahh. Again, she deep down knows Flynn’s a good guy and the real deal; the only other person she’s had that intuition about is Elijah. She’s kind of comparing them in the sense that they’ve given her that hopeful, heads-in-the-clouds feeling...unlike Ethan who is the other side of the album. I think it’s from the perspective of Lottie looking at Flynn and seeing a lot of Elijah - hence something quite nice is beginning...again. 

17. The Moment I Knew - This will again be for Jace. The vague idea of their connection is that they dated after she dated Elijah, while she was home schooling. She fell hard and looked to him for support and was convinced he’d be the same as Elijah was to her but he is and has always been more focused on his career. So, when she decided to go back to VS, he stayed out in LA trying to make his dreams come true. They tried long distance but he never called as much as she did and it felt very one way. He never did anything explicitly wrong...unless you hear Lottie’s slightly overdramatic version of the story via this song. (For people struggling to keep up, it goes: Elijah, Jace, Liberty, Crush on Avery, vague fling with Ethan, Longterm crush on Flynn LOL) 18. Come Back, Be Here - Leaving LA (when she was being home schooled/working on her debut) and Jace, too. This was the beginning of their short lived long distance relationship when she thought they genuinely had a chance. I feel like she’s embarrassed to admit she fell for him now but she did lmao.  19. Girl At Home - If you didn’t get the clue in her post, Peter C LOL. It’s plotted that when they got to NYC, he flirted with her a few times even though Lottie knew he was with Bianca. Hence why she wrote this song. She could’ve just told him to fuck off and left it be, but why do that when you could have it on an album and cause rumours to spread like wildfire?

#lotties project: red #ITS NOT OUT YET #BUT THESE WILL BE THE MEANINGS #i also love how sneakily shady she is with these songs and the meanings :')

[bobdylanrevisited]

Blonde On Blonde

Released: 20 June 1966

Rating: 10/10

The finale of the electric trilogy, another masterpiece that pushes the boundaries of Dylan’s singing and penmanship. He described this album as the closest he’s ever gotten to the noises in his head, a thin mercury sound, metallic and bright gold. It was also the first double sided rock album, and his first without an acoustic track, with Dylan continuing to blaze a trail in popular music. Although this album may not be as ‘deep’ as its predecessors, it’s still a thrilling musical adventure that again makes you forget his folk origins, and embrace his role as the leader of a new style of ‘pop’ song. 

1) Rainy Day Women No. 12 & 35 - The look on people’s faces when the album opened with this must have been one to behold, it sounds nothing like the Bob we know and love. It’s more like a Mardi Gras parade, with trumpets blaring and the band’s joyous screams, all revolving around a pun on the word ‘stoned’. It’s a brilliant opener, both upbeat, funny, and unlike anything that came before it. Whether the song refers to weed, hedonism, his pious status, or the ancient punishment, it’s hard to argue that ‘everybody must get stoned’. 

2) Pledging My Time - A severe change of gear for this track, a much slower blues number, which reworks a number of older blues lyrics, to describe the promise to a lover in the hopes that they will reciprocate the feeling. It’s a fine song, though it does get somewhat lost on the album due to the longevity many of the other tracks have endured. 

3) Visions Of Johanna - Generally agreed to be one of the finest songs ever written, it’s no wonder this has remained one of Dylan’s favourites ever since. It’s a colossal piece, proving that no matter what instruments are on the track, the writing is still the soul of what Dylan is doing. Not only are the vocals among the best he’s ever recorded, the song weaves a vivid picture of his strive for perfection. Much like the previous two albums, Bob uses metaphor and surreal imagery to express personal emotion and you can’t help but hang on his every word. You are transported into a dreamlike state, also searching for Johanna and your own personal idea of flawlessness, though for me that may very well just be this song. 

4) One Of Us Must Know (Sooner Or Later) - A song about the ending of a relationship, which should be a bleak affair, but I can’t help but singalong and grin as I listen to this brilliant tune. Although it dissects and defends bad behaviours that caused the couple to sour, the instrumentation and the rousing chorus are a joy to hear, and it’s easily one of my favourite tracks on the album. 

5) I Want You - At odds with the previous track, this a sweet love song, once again populated my characters and imagery that only Dylan could conjure up. Much like the rest of the album, the tune and melody of this song are remarkably beautiful, and this is certainly Dylan’s most musically ambitious, yet accessible album so far, with this track being another highlight. The song has also been reworked a lot live, and sounds just as beautiful as a ballad, which Dylan played a lot in the late 80s/early 90s. 

6) Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again - I think this may be my favourite song on the album, with apologies to Johanna. Whilst it’s simply just another surreal story with a mad cast of people, I absolutely adore it. Again, the tune is catchy and fun, the singing is perfect, and the whole thing comes together to be a track that fills me with indescribable happiness. The live Hard Rain 1976 version is also phenomenal, it’s impossible for this song to sound anything other than amazing. 

7) Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat - A satire on fashion, and a lover continuing to wear her new hat in increasingly compromising situations, this is another blues song with a great guitar arrangement and sounded brilliant on the 1966 Live tour. It’s not one of my favourites on the album, but it’s a good song that talks of jealousy and materialism, with the bluesy sound being the main attraction. 

8) Just Like A Woman - Potentially written about Edie Sedgwick, this sounds like one of Dylan’s tenderest songs, but the lyrics are actually full of vulnerability and regret. One of Bob’s most popular songs, possibly due to the gentle tune and the grounded imagery, I’ve personally always found it a tiny bit overrated in comparison with the rest of the album, though I understand it is an easy introduction to Dylan for the average listener. However, I will admit that the song is spellbinding when performed live, particularly on the 1966 tour. 

9) Most Likely You Go Your Way And I’ll Go Mine - A very literal tale of a breakup, this is again another song that feels joyous despite the content. The guitars and drums add a very fun layer to the tune, and it’s another track that hasn’t got a deep message, but is just a brilliantly sung rock song that helps make this album the most musically enjoyable yet. 

10) Temporary Like Achilles - Another blues number about a breakup and a new lover. There’s not much to write about this one, other than it’s again a fun tune, this time revolving around a double entendre: ‘honey, why are you so hard?’

11) Absolutely Sweet Marie - This is another catchy tune, and whilst it’s still influenced by the blues, it is more upbeat. Much like the previous track it’s full of innuendo, but it sounds like a ‘pop’ song that you may hear on the radio, with a more restrained style of singing from Bob. It’s another fine song which would be considered more a filler track, if not for the line ‘to live outside the law you must be honest’, which is one of his most quoted lyrics. It shows that even when he’s not telling a mad story or protesting injustice, he’s still the world’s best songwriter and can toss legendary lines into a largely throwaway song. 

12) Fourth Time Around - Written as a response to The Beatles ‘Norwegian Wood’, Dylan uses this dark tale of a lover’s fight to take aim at John Lennon’s ‘new’ style of writing, that sounded an awful lot like it had been stolen from Bob. Musically, it is the same as ‘Norwegian Wood’, with the last line warning ‘I never asked for your crutch, now don’t ask for mine’. Basically, Bob’s telling John not to take his style, whilst also perfectly showing the world that he’s still the best at storytelling and his brand of unique phrasing. This song would haunt John Lennon for some time, as he was paranoid about Dylan’s feelings towards him, but in the end Lennon went in a new direction and Bob remained friends with The Beatles, so any beef seem to be short lived.

13) Obviously Five Believers - Much like previous tracks, another bluesy tune with lyrics about a relationship and wild backing musicians, this is a good little song to dance and singalong with. Robbie Robertson’s guitar playing is particularly impressive on this track, and his playing throughout the whole album is one of the highlights. 

14) Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands - Bob had married Sara Lownds three months earlier, and this 11 minute poem of love, beauty, strength, and heavenly romance is an incredible tribute to her. Though much of the album is filled with sombre lyrics about relationships ending and striving for a perfect woman, the closing track is all about how Bob has found what he has been searching for. It’s a gorgeous song that is not only some of his most heartfelt writing, it’s a uncompromising wedding vow that is full of genuine emotion and is brimming with positivity, something Dylan doesn’t often write about. It’s an incredible conclusion to the album, and to this period of his career. 

Verdict: Once again, my hyperbolic words can’t do this album or career period justice, for a 25 year old to release three culture changing masterpieces in the space of 15 months is unfathomable. Whilst it could seem somewhat ‘sell out’ with the more radio friendly songs, the whole album is just a thrillingly perfect journey through Dylan’s emotions and experiences, relationships ending, searching for meaning, and finally finding happiness. This album once again includes some of the best songs and singing of his entire career, and the overall sound throughout the record is much more mature and composed. Even the tracks that seem a little more filler are still brilliantly written songs that eclipsed the popular music that was being released at the time. The album is my (joint) second favourite thing he’s ever released, and sadly it would be the last of this particular ‘Bob Dylan’, as he was once again about to cocoon and re-emerge a new man. Following a motorcycle accident in 1966, and his settling down with his new wife and children, the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle was about to be abandoned for a more mellow, more relaxed, and more ‘country’ sound. 

#bob dylan #blonde on blonde

[bluebuzzmusic]

NGHTKRAWLER Brings Miami Tech House to NoFace Records on “Covenant” [Interview}

The Miami music scene is a vibrant as it is competitive. Across every genre, young artists are making moves across gig slots and studio time trying to carve a slice of the pie for themselves. One of these artists is NGHTKRAWLER who recently landed one of his tracks “Covenant” on Max Vangeli’s label NoFace Records.

“Covenant” is a tech house track that uses soulful vocals and a busty bass line to get people moving on the dancefloor. It’s catchy, bouncy, and infectious to the ears. To talk about it, I sat down with NGHTKRAWLER and explored his origins and his future in EDM.

How’s everything going?

It’s going, man. It’s going. It’s been a solid year so far! Especially so since my new release. Shout out to my NoFace fam!

That’s great to hear! So to start off, how did you become NGHTKRAWLER? Specifically, how did you become interested in electronic music?

When I was kid, my eldest brother had me listening to freestyle dance music and disco. So I was listening to the Bee Gees and Vicky Sue Robinson. With EDM, a lot of its groove comes from that style. From there, I discovered the G.O.A.T. Tiesto and that really opened the door for me to really love electronic dance music.

That’s interesting! Especially since I know your earliest releases are groovy but more so in the bass music camp, which are pretty different from your latest release “Covenant”. How would you say that genre switch came about and did you feel comfortable making that switch?

You’re right! I originally was making a moombah-trap like my song “Muevelo” and a hybrid-trap song called “Freefall”. I’ve always had an interest in main-stage progressive house, as well. But with “Covenant”, I really wanted to try something different. Although I’m comfortable working in any genre, I thought, “Let me get a little techy with this one.” It’s still different because it uses elements and influences from my previous work. But the bass is still very tech-house which I like because it’s very groovy and meant to make you dance.

When you were working on “Covenant”, was it a side-venture that became something more or was it a main goal project? What was the process?

This was the process: When I was up in the morning, I try to make something new. So I started with the vocals. I was playing around with the vocal editing. As I was listening to the “Oh, ohs” you hear on the final version before the track was made, I thought to try some progressive house drums. That didn’t work. Then I tried deep house drums, but they also didn’t work. I tried other styles of house drums, until I added tech house drums. Then I thought, “Wait a minute! I think I got something here!” From there, I layered the drums with the bass lines for the groove and once I started doing the proper mixdown, I thought pffft…I think I got this one!

It had to feel really great when all the pieces come together working on a project like that. Speaking of your workflow, do you think the pandemic had an effect on your musical style, production decision or even your creative output?

I had take a hiatus from music with the pandemic. But my manager Marcus pushed me. He said, “Bro, we’re in a pandemic. Everybody’s making music right now. You need to release music. People know you can make music, but you have to release something.” 

Then, jokingly, I made a mashup or edit of the Jauz song “Goodies” with the vocals from my song “Muevelo” and it was surprisingly groovy. When that happened, I thought to myself, ” If I can make this during a pandemic, maybe I should make something of my own.” Between that and support from my management, it pushed me more. 

On that note, what is cooking in the studio with NGHTKRAWLER? What new projects can you tell us about?

Cooking in the background, we’re going to be pushing tracks to NoFace Records. But I also want to also want to work on other genres and focus on making an album. Like an actual studio album. I’m also pushing my music to some other major labels in the EDM scene that we all are familiar with. I have a lot of unreleased tracks now. I want to skip the freshman EP and boom…go straight to an album because I believe I have the potential to do it. 

What do you want your legacy to be with your music in 1 year, 5 years or 10 years?

The point of my music is to make people dance. All I want is to make the people dance. You may be having a rough day or have the highlight of your life. But when you hear my music, you can dance the stress away or dance to your achievements. Live it up, because music is the language of the soul! I want people to remember my music as what helped them get through the day.

Make sure to check out the new NGHTKRAWLER release “Covenant” out on NoFace Records and stay tuned for future releases,



This article was first published on Your EDM. Source: NGHTKRAWLER Brings Miami Tech House to NoFace Records on “Covenant” [Interview}

source https://www.youredm.com/2021/08/16/nghtkrawler-brings-miami-tech-house-to-noface-records-on-covenant-interview/

#edm #music #music production #music news #edm news