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echotunes · 7 months

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#bc i'm curious!#echo.txt #echo hall of fame #polls

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echo-rambles · 2 months

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fav skz song??

aw man WHAT a question... I have so many favorites 😭

my immediate answer is probably Domino though, which feels boring because I feel like A LOT of people's favorite is domino. it's just- such a good song.

I also love Thunderous and Comflex and Back Door, and I'm a huge a sucker for Going Dumb... THERE'S TOO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM!

#echo answers #anonymous #stray kids #there's also boxer and battle ground and double knot #item. super bowl. TOPLINE!!#TOP!! charmer!! megaverse!! hall of fame!! GET COOL MY BELOVED!!!#phobia... insomnia... ALL IN!!!#domino is very special to me though

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doyoulikethissong-poll · 3 months

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Foo Fighters - The Pretender 2007

Foo Fighters is an American rockband formed in Seattle in 1994, founded initially as a one-man project by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl. Foo Fighters have won 15 Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Album five times, making them among the most successful rock acts in Grammy history. In 2021, the band was announced as recipients of the first-ever "Global Icon" award at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021, their first year of eligibility.

"The Pretender" was the first single from their sixth album Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007). It is one of their most successful songs; peaking at number 37 on the US Billboard Hot 100 (making it their third top-40 single), only "Learn to Fly" and "Best of You" beat its position on the Billboard Hot 100.

"The Pretender" was a 2008 Grammy Award nominee for Best Rock Song and Record of the Year, and won the Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance. The music video was nominated for a 2008 MTV Video Music Award for Best Rock Video, but lost to Linkin Park's "Shadow of the Day".

As of January 2024, the song has over 562 million views on YouTube, making it the band's most-viewed video on the platform.

"The Pretender" received a total of 76% yes votes! Dave Grohl has previously featured in the polls as a drummer on "No One Knows" at #87, as well as Nirvana's cover of "The Man Who Sold the World" at #118.

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#finished #high votes #high yes #high reblog #00s #foo fighters #dave grohl

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miniimight · 7 months

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Gotta admit the way you write midoriya is just so... Literally can't find the words to describe it. I had this scenario I wished to request of you it's okay if you don't want to do it. Midoriya with an significant other that hears people taking about them, not deserving of him and how they are using him for his fame and all, then he teaches them a lesson?

DEFENDING YOU the gossip around the office gets on his nerves a lil bit

with izukuuuuu :heart: + gn!reader

notes absolutely in love with this request ! thanks for reading my stuffs <3

a while after you were revealed as his girlfriend, izuku was faced with many backhanded comments about his relationship. sure, they were few and far between, but when they did happen he felt his self-control diminishing way faster than usual. especially if that person had the balls to say it to his face.

to be completely honest, he thought that everyone else should mind their own fucking business. he doesn't kid around when it comes to the people he cares about. the fact that he wants and needs you is enough.

but, nonetheless. people will still run their mouths.

it was another casual day in the office. you had the day off work and he was stuck at the agency headquarters, flipping through paperwork.

you were excited to see him. izuku had been holed up in work for what seemed like forever, and you were so happy to get the chance to spend time with each other during the coming weekend.

as you walked through the halls, you noticed the eyes following you. they were hard to miss, but they were part of the routine at this point. you soon found yourself in the elevator, head ducked as you pulled out your phone.

izu: you coming up soon baby?

you: yeah, i'm like 5 mins away

you: okay im in the lobby, heading up rn

izu: yayyy can't wait to see you, love :3

you smiled softly to yourself. when you looked up, the elevator was packed; all you could see were the backs of the seven or so individuals in front of you, pushing you into the corner. your stomach felt a little uneasy, thinking about how you'd have to tell these people to move to let you through, but you remembered izuku was on the top floor. there was no way they were all heading there.

the hushed voices of a few employees made your heart pound.

"you're talking about deku's s/o?"

"yeah! aren't they... i dunno. a little out of his league?"

"i'm saying! like i'd get it if they were maybe a model or something. but they're literally just a civilian. how disappointing is that? like uravity is right there."

"i'm sure they're just using him for his fame. he's in the field so much with other badass heroes, they probably barely get to see him. if deku wasn't deku, they'd dip in a heartbeat."

they all laughed.

you wanted to stop listening. flood your mind with meaningless thoughts to distract you. but you couldn't resist tuning in, feeding your insecurities and doubt.

the ding of the elevator saved you. they filed out of the elevator, leaving you with the cheerful jingle of the lift.

you were quiet as you walked down the long halls of the top floor, their words echoing in your mind. you knew they weren't true—and god, would izuku reassure the fuck out of you—but negativity was negativity. and negativity had a way of finding cracks and slipping through.

the giant glass doors slid over the tiled floor soundlessly, yet izuku's head popped up from behind all the papers and files at your arrival.

a huge grin bloomed on his face as he sped over to you, paperwork forgotten. "hello, honey. did you get up here okay?"

"yeah," you smiled and held up a takeout bag. "i got some snacks for us."

izuku's calculating gaze bore into you as he gingerly accepted the bag. "you alright?"

"hmm?" you tilted your head in confusion. of course he noticed. "yeah, i'm good." the last thing you wanted to do was stress him out even more.

his brows furrowed. he stepped closer to you, his hands resting on your waist. "don't lie to me, sweetheart." his tone was scolding but his eyes were gentle. "what's bothering you?"

you pursed your lips, sighing. "just a couple people talking about us, 'n how i don't deserve you—"

you felt him stiffen, his expression going cold.

"how i'm using you for the fame, blah, blah, blah." you forced a smile, trying to play it off in an amusing light. "you know, the usual."

izuku was tightlipped, responding only with a "hmm."

he was staring at the wall behind you, eyes narrowed as if he'd seen a villain or something. you knew that expression well.

you cupped his face, guiding him to look at you. "hey. it's okay, izu, i'm used to it. don't mind them, alright?"

izuku's gaze softened and he leaned into one of your palms, the other lifted off his face by his own hand. he pressed a little kiss to your wrist, rubbing his hand up and down your arm soothingly as you both walked out his office.

he decided to drop it, and just love the shit out of you as an apology for experiencing such disrespect. even if he did everything in his power to make sure everyone knew he belonged to you just as much as you belonged to him, he still felt guilty when people attacked you.

he still had many questions: who were they, what floor did they get off, and how can i discipline them? he usually felt sympathy for when employees messed up, but suddenly... he wasn't against firing them all.

the ride down to the lobby was filled with many adoring employees who giggled at the sight of the pro-hero, a phenomenon you were also very familiar with.

soon, you were gliding through the lobby, so close to freedom when he picks up on the idle chatter he hates so much.

"i think that's them!"

"it is. woah, his s/o is way more dull when you see 'em next to each other."

izuku grit his teeth. his eyes glanced down to you, seeing the way you blinked and pursed your lips. he suddenly paused. you walked forward a couple steps before you were tugged back by his stationary hand.

you looked at him curiously. "izu..?" your eyes darted around, lingering on the three that said those things about you.

he smiled, bending over you as he kissed your lips gently, pecking your forehead as well. "why don't you go to the car, love? i'll catch up in a second."

you gave him a warning look, noticing how he was drifting to where the three sat. "izu... really, let's just go."

he kissed you again and your head was swimming. "i'll only be a minute, angel. go on." he pat your back and watched as you left the lobby. when he turned around his expression was completely different.

he walked over to the three people, who instantly straightened at his approach. they shared glances with each other, both a little scared and confused.

"hello." izuku smiled, but there was no indication that he was happy. "i'm deku, and you all are..?"

they meekly listed their names, to which izuku took mental notes and nodded.

"great. uhm, i overheard you talking about my s/o?" he cocked his head to the side. "please, i'd love to hear your thoughts." he chuckles. "i'm kinda obsessed with them, or whatever."

"o-oh..." they stutter and avoid his gaze, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "no, it was nothing, really."

"hmm? nothing?" izuku and his months of public appearance training only made him more intimidating when angry; the joyless smile he wore as annoyance bubbled through him was ten times worse then any outright show of anger. "are you sure?"

"yes! promise." one nods eagerly.

he laughs mirthlessly and the three weakly chuckled along, thinking they were out of trouble. leaning close to them, his voice dropped into a low hum. "i'd like to keep it that way, yeah? let's not make them sad just so you could feel like you have an opinion about something that does not concern you whatsoever."

the three held onto each other, eyes rounded with shock as they listened to the pro-hero before them.

izuku's head tilted ever-so-slightly. "well?"

they began to trip over each other with their agreement, yes, of course! we wouldn't dream of it. consider it done! whatever you say!

izuku flashed his famous smile. "glad we got that sorted out. and just so that we're crystal clear, if i—or anyone for that matter—catch you talking down on my s/o again..." he pursed his lips, his eyes narrowing in thought. "i'd hate to have to terminate your contracts... it's a lot of paperwork, you know?"

they shook their heads, bowing deeply to the pro-hero. "never again, sir!"

"great!" izuku chirped. "bye!"

[]

your leg bobbed nervously in the car, wondering what izuku was doing and if you should go in there and see for yourself. just as you were about to act, you saw his green hair bob over the cars beside you, eventually coming into view.

you exhaled in relief as he slipped into the driver's seat, sighing happily. he turned to stare at you, leaning dreamily over the steering wheel. you smiled, though your eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"you're so pretty." he sighed.

"i—" you blinked, laughing. "thank you, baby."

"i'm so lucky to have you..." he continued, leaning over the compartment separating your seats.

you giggled, matching his energy. "mhmm."

he gave you a lopsided smile. "you deserve everything i have and more."

your face felt warm as you shy away from him, knowing why he was spouting all these affirmations. his fingers hooked under your chin, tilting your face. his hair brushed against your forehead as he captured your lips. he grinned at you when he pulled away, staring at you with such adoration.

"so..." you ignore your racing heart and try to regulate your breathing. "are you gonna tell me what happened?"

he squished your cheeks before turning back in his seat, starting the car. "nope!"

you smiled and rolled your eyes, uncertainties gone and doubt erased. in the end, you weren't ever bothered. and strangely, you never saw those three faces again.

#deku x reader #izuku x reader #midoriya izuku #bnha x reader #deku fluff #izuku midoriya x reader #mha x reader #bnha #mha #izuku midoriya #deku #izuku midoria x reader #izuku fluff #izuku imagines

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eddiesghxst · 9 months

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PRICE OF FAME (PART 1/12)

yes i have eighty different rockstar!eddie's now, pls don't look at me, i rewatched almost famous and had a moment, k bye, enjoy!

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18+ — MINORS DNI

pairing: rockstar!eddie x journalist!reader

summary: you're a writer for rolling stone magazine and eddie hates the media so... he hates you

contains: enemies to lover trope, themes of sexism/misogyny, smoking, drug and alcohol use, sexual themes, and eddie being an asshole <3

word count: 4.5k

| next part |

| series masterlist | -main masterlist- |

You love your job more than anything.

You love that it allows you to travel, that it’s centered around music, and that you get to meet people and make friends and do extravagant things you would’ve never imagined you’d be doing. You love your job.

“I love my job.” It’s starting to taste like a lie when it reaches your tongue.

You mutter it to yourself again, looking around the bright hallway and searching for any fucking door with the words ‘CORRODED COFFIN’ written on it.

You glance at the watch on your wrist, teeth digging into the soft skin of your cheek as you keep walking down the corridor.

You feel as if you’ve been walking down this hall for years, miles of white stone wall and shiny gray cement floors, equipment littered here and there with staff walking through doors and yelling commands.

You follow the echo of chatter and soft giggles, the sound getting closer and closer until a group of girls meets you. A red-headed girl lazily chews gum and stands against the wall, glaring at you from behind her blood-red shades. You take the chance to ask them your pressing question, “Do you know where I could find the dressing room for Corroded Coffin?” You ask.

The girls glare at you and giggle, eyeing you and, without a doubt judging your lack of fishnets and leather clothing. Brown leather boots, flared jeans, and a white long sleeve— you don’t belong here. “You a reporter or something?”

You look at the redheaded girl, pursing your lips and taking a steady breath, reaching up to grasp the strap of your crossbody bag. “I’m a writer for Rolling Stone Magazine,” you explain, ignoring the snickering girls on the side. You clench the leather band of your bag in your palm, “I’m doing a piece on the band.”

The girl silently studies you; a ghost of a smile passes her lips, “Rolling Stone Magazine?”

You shift on your feet, eyebrows furrowing, “Yeah um… they’re big on music and—“ “I know what Rolling Stone Magazine is.”

You love your job.

You steadily breathe, clenching your bag once again. Your feet ache in these boots, and your jeans are teetering on the cusp of too tight after you ate a quick dinner— you want to go home. “The boys won’t speak with Rolling Stone.”

It falls silent between the two of you, and you glance at the other three girls, huddled together and passing a joint. “They don’t like watered-down shitty tabloids like yours. They won’t want to see you.” The redhead explains, silently reaching over to accept her turn with the joint.

You watch as she brings the burning paper to her lips, taking a long drag and smirking at you. She expects you to take her word and leave, but you’ve dealt with enough people like her to know she’s bullshitting you.

“Could you please point me toward their dressing room?” You ask, reconstructing your previous question because you now understand that, without a doubt, these women know where the dressing room is.

She laughs and points across the hall, some feet from where you’re all standing. You can see the first few letters of the band's name from your angle, and you internally rejoice. You thank her and walk over to the door, mentally reviewing your introduction a few times before laying a few knocks on the heavy black door.

There’s no response for a moment, and you try not to let the snickering sound of the girls tick you off. You lift your hand to knock again, but the door swings open before you can do it. A tall, muscular man glares down at you, dressed in black with a scowl. He must be security.

“Hi, I’m a writer for—“ “Groupies aren’t coming in yet; wait out in the back.”

Your face twists in offense, glaring at the man as you, yet again, clench your fist in annoyance, “I’m not a fucking group—“ The door slams shut before you can finish your sentence.

“Fuckin’ asshole.” You mutter to yourself.

You love your job.

The girls snicker behind you, and you feel your face heat in embarrassment and annoyance. Why is nearly everybody in this industry just a bunch of assholes? You figure you’ll just have to wait for the band members to come out, leaning back to press your back against the wall and patiently wait.

From outside, you can hear the chaotic noise of yelling and loud banter from inside the room— the clatter of furniture breaking and thuds against the wall. You remember when behavior like this used to shock you, but artists seem to have reckless behavior nowadays.

The group of girls chatter amongst themselves, and you busy yourself with following the cracks in the floor. You stand there with aching feet and a mental ticking clock for what feels like hours, and you almost give up until the door flies open and three boys stumble out, reeking of alcohol and weed and musk.

You watch as they all brush past you, ignoring you for the group of girls standing across the hallway, cheering their names and draping their arms across their shoulders.

“And who might you be?”

You turn around at the gravelly voice, locking eyes with a glazed pool of brown. The last of the group, the fourth member— and, by what you can piece together given the notorious long dark brown locks dusting his shoulders, Eddie Munson. You clear your throat, stepping forward and telling him your name. You extend a hand for him to shake and ignore how his gaze rolls over every inch of your body.

“I’m a writer for Rolling Stone Magazine,” you explain, retracting your hand when he only glances at the kind gesture. He stands before you, an uninterested smirk dancing against his lips. He’s dressed in black jeans and black leather boots that look worn to hell despite his bottomless pit of a wallet. A black sheer button-down top, fully open to expose his sweat-glistened chest, shiny chains hanging from his neck and kissing his collarbones. His ringed fingers are wrapped around the neck of a half-empty bottle of whiskey, tiny sticky streams of spilled alcohol coating the bottle.

“I’m here to interview your band.” You add.

He laughs, spit-slick lips forming a mocking smile as he speaks, “My band?”

You blink, “Yes, you’re all a band, right?” You motion to the boys, still chatting with the girls across from where you stand, ignoring the sight of one of the members groping a girl as she giggles. “Heavy metal band, Corroded Coffin?”

Eddie snickers, “Yeah, toots, we’re a band,” he lifts the bottle to his lips, speaking over the rim, “But this isn’t my band.” He tips the drink back and gulps down the bitter drink.

You watch as he takes it down without a single twitch of displeasure. You take a deep breath, shifting on your feet as you ignore his smart response, “Okay, well, it won’t be long,” you try to reason, reaching for your bag to dig out your notepad.

“Just a few questions; I won’t take much of your time—” Eddie cuts you off with a wave of his hand, “Listen, princess,” he presses his hand against the wall beside you, using the hand wrapped around the whiskey to gesture as he speaks. “While I’d love to sit and chitchat like a couple of teenage girls, we’ve got two issues here, sweetheart.”

“One,” he raises his index finger, “We don’t do interviews before shows.” He explains as if it’s common knowledge. He lifts another finger, “And two,” he steps closer, a sickening grin spreading across his lips when you step back. “We want nothing to do with your shitty dick-sucking career-crushing poor excuse of a magazine.”

You stare at him, a million different responses churning in your head, and you so badly want to read him to filth, but you really fucking love your job.

“Mr. Munson, I promise you—” “Where are you from?”

What is it with these assholes and cutting you off mid-sentence?

You swallow your pride and answer, “Michigan.” Eddie hums, nodding his head, clicking his teeth as if tasting the state on his tongue. “I’ll tell you this, Michigan,” he bumps the bottle against your shoulder, and you grimace at the drop of liquor that seeps into your shirt. “We’re not doing your shitty piece of a story, but we’ll graciously give you a nice view of the show from the side stage.” He grins, patting your shoulder once and winking.

A staff member passes by you, alerting the band that they have less than a minute to be on stage. You open your mouth to object to his offer, but the boy is downing the rest of the bottle and shoving the bottle into your chest, “Enjoy the show, Michigan.”

You watch in disbelief as he walks off with his band members, the other members not even glancing your way as they holler and cheer down the corridor of the venue. For the 80th time tonight, you clutch the band of your bag and curse to yourself.

Fuckin’ dipshit rockstars.

Against your better judgment, you, again, swallow your pride and watch the show from the side of the stage. You decline any drinks offers, wanting to stay as sober as possible for the interview after the show (if you can weasel one out of them).

Corroded Coffin knows how to put on a show. Each band member works the crowd in ways you have rarely witnessed in this industry— it’s not difficult to see their appeal to the younger generation of music listeners.

None of the members outshine the other; they are all equally in the spotlight, playing their part to create a well-oiled machine of an act. Granted, most of the show is concerningly chaotic; Gareth kicked his foot into his drum set near the end, Jeff smashed the fret of his guitar over the side of an amp, Eddie made out with a fan and Gareth, and the other member you can’t seem to name for the life of you sprayed the front row with multiple bottles of liquor.

It’s chaotic, an endless list of violations without a doubt, but the fans eat it out of the palm of their hands.

You don’t even bother trying to get their attention when they run off the stage, quietly watching from afar as they’re cheered on by VIP fans, managers, and staff. Security rushes them to the green room, where a line of fans waits with various pieces of merchandise to be signed.

You follow, silently taking in the busy scene, saying nothing when you catch a few members stealthily swiping tiny bags of party favors from fans. It’s a movie of never-ending noise and movement, and you’re wondering how they put up with this every night.

You glance at your watch and grunt in annoyance, half past midnight, well past the time you’d hoped to be back in your hotel room.

You stand aside and watch the room as the squealing fans go to each boy, getting autographs and Polaroids to commemorate the moment. Gareth is a flirt, shakes every girl's hand and only lingers for the ones he fancies, gazes into their eyes like they’re the only girl in the room, and smirks when they giggle and lean into his touch. Tells them they’re pretty, compliments their dresses and tops, and gazes at their chest for too long until staff breaks the moment and tells the girls to ‘keep the line moving, ladies’.

Jeff is almost the same, except he’s less performative with it. He’s got a hint of a gentleman in him, thanks each fan for coming, and asks how they liked the show with a sneaky glint in his eyes and a sly smirk. Winks at one of the girls and leans in to whisper something in her ear, something you can’t read from his lips, but later on, you will see them step onto the tour bus together, snickering like sneaky teenagers.

The bass player, the one whose name always slips your mind, has gone off somewhere with a groupie; you watched them slip away from the madness the second he stepped off stage.

And Eddie— Eddie can’t stop glaring at you. Can’t stop looking at you and making you squirm because he wants you gone. He’s got an arm draped around a girl's shoulder, neck craned down to hear what she whispers, and through the chaos of the room and the pretty girl practically pawing at his chest and giggling in his ear, Eddie still manages to find the time to look at you. Curly bangs wet with sweat sticking to his forehead, cheeks rosy and flushed with adrenaline, wide eyes diminished beneath smudged black eyeliner. He looks like an animal, damp and matted, searing gaze dripping with malice.

You almost take the bait and cower.

A hand is placed on your shoulder, breaking your silent staring contest with Eddie as a man steps into your view. He is taller than you, older with lines of age sinking into his skin, glaring down at you over the end of his cigarette as he speaks, “Rolling Stone Magazine?”

You wonder how he was able to pick you out, but your itchy jeans and suffocating boots quickly remind you that you don’t exactly fit into the crowd. You nod, sticking a hand out and telling him your name. “You must be Richie, the manager?” You assume, kindly smiling when he takes your hand with a friendly grip in greeting.

“I’m here to interview your boys. We called this morning,” you remind him. He nods, puffs out a cloud of smoke from the side of his mouth as he speaks, “Yeah, uh… The thing with that is,” he tilts his head to scratch at the stubble on his chin, “I’m not so sure the boys’ll be up for that.”

You breathily laugh, glancing at the boys behind him, ignoring when Eddie glances your way, “Yeah, I gathered that already.”

The man hums, reaching up to pluck the burning paper from his lip, blowing the smoke away from your face before speaking, “Yeah, Eddie’s not too keen on big media. Bad run-in from the past.” He explains. You nod understandingly, “The Face?”

The man nods, taking another hit, “Tore ‘em to shreds.” You nod, crossing your arms over your chest with a breath, “I remember.” He offers you a hit, and you shake your head, kindly waving him off.

“Shitty, you came all this way, though. Where you from?”

You don’t look at him as you respond, too focused on the man across the room, his attention locked in on the fans now that he sees you’re being taken care of— like an unwanted intruder being exterminated. But you’re not an intruder. You’re a journalist, a writer, a listener— and you’re damn good at it.

Before you can thoroughly think about the repercussions, your mouth is running, gaze still locked on Eddie, “I can get them on the cover.”

Richie pauses his rambling at that, pauses the lift of his cigarette to his lips, and looks at you, waiting for you to say it was a joke or something— but it’s not. Your gaze flitters to him, your expression unwavering as you wait for him to respond. “The cover?”

You nod once, watching as he takes one long drag of his cigarette. “We can do one big interview with them all,” you begin, “I’ll tag along for a few shows to gather more on the experience, get a photoshoot booked and have them on the cover for the July issue.” You’re pulling strings, tugging at what sounds enticing and will get you where you need to be. You’re good at your job, you’ve done this before, and you know how to bend things to your will because the rockstars— the rockstars are always easy to break.

Richie glances over his shoulder and grunts, rubbing a hand over his face before turning back to you, “Okay, um,” he sighs and curses under his breath, “Let me see if I can talk them into it, yeah?” He sticks the cigarette between his lips and starts searching his pockets. “We’ve got a residency tour in New York next,” he announces, finally fishing out his wallet and sifting through cards until he finds what he needs. He offers the card to you, “Think you can meet us there?”

You take the card and glance over it before glancing at the boy once again. You nod, and he smiles, “Give me a call when you land; I’ll let you know if it’s a go.”

He leaves without another word, and you stay standing for a bit, rubbing the card between your fingers as you watch the boys meet the last of their fans tonight, Eddie no longer looks your way, and you hope he does for just a split second so he can know— so he can realize that he lost.

You give up when he seems too preoccupied with the girls, stuffing the card in your purse and making your way toward the exit. You’ll have to settle for rubbing it in when you see them in New York.

You spent the better part of your week convincing Anna, your manager, to give you the benefit of the doubt and allow you to pull through with a cover story. Anna wasn’t so excited when you told her you offered them a cover, but Anna is never excited by your ideas; she’s always worried until the final product comes out like a fine piece of gold. Treasure. You create treasure, and Anna knows this, so she finally relents and lets you go through with it— “You better get me the biggest story ever made. Bigger than Madonna.”

You can do bigger than Madonna— and seeing as your subject is four young men at the peak of worldwide fame, ‘bigger than Madonna’ will be a piece of cake.

You grab the hotel phone the second you get in, dialing the number on the creased business card you’d fished out from your bag. Your knee bounces in anticipation, teeth digging into your lip as you listen to each agonizing ring, almost thinking Richie gave you a fake card before finally, the phone picks up, “Hello?” It’s groggy, like he’d just woke up.

“Hi, it’s Rolling Stone Magazine,”

He groans on the other end, and you can hear the rustling of sheets, and you assume he’s sitting up in bed, “Rolling Stone Magazine… Oh— oh, uh… are you here?” He asks. You nod before answering with a short yes.

“Are we on for today?” You ask. He’s silent for a few moments, nothing but sleepy, distant grunts filtering through the speaker. “Uh, yeah. Yeah, we’re on just uh,” you pick at the seam of your jeans as you wait for him to finish his thought, “Come to the garden at around three; they’ve got rehearsals, and you can try to squeeze in after.”

You thank him and end the call, placing the phone back on the stand and sighing as you glance around the room. This will be your home for the next month; Anna advised you to stay for the entire residency tour despite your reassurance that you can complete the story in a week— “A big story, birdie. A massive one. A good one. That doesn’t happen in a week.”

So, one month. Twelve shows and thirty days. One month.

Eddie doesn’t like rehearsals.

He thinks they’re stupid and useless and take up too much time of the day when he could spend it doing something else. Could be writing, could be out having fun with the boys and getting high as a kite, could be fucking that redheaded groupie, Lany. He could be doing so many things, but instead, he’s up on stage in an empty arena listening for feedback in the mic and testing the amps for the guitars.

“Let’s do that last track one more time; I think I’m picking up a bit of feedback on you, Gareth.”

Eddie sits down on the edge of the drum riser, sticking a cigarette between his lips and lighting it up. He tilts his head back and blows up toward the beaming lights, squinting at the bright rays and imagining them enveloping him. He closes his eyes and imagines it’s the sun, thinking about Hawkins and the last summers he spent with the gang. Thinks about Dustin and Lucas and Max and Mike. Steve, Nance, and Robin. Thinks about how he hasn’t called or visited in a while, even though he got their card on his birthday.

He feels shitty for not calling home; he itches to make the call now and let them know that he misses them and wishes they could fly out more often to watch the band play. They’re all busy, though; the kids are about to start college— dusted the shit out of high school, which Eddie obviously flew in to watch them walk the stage— and the older half of them are all getting jobs, looking for their next big step in life, and Eddie misses them.

His reminiscent thoughts are cut through with the sharp and loud slamming of the arena door, grasping his attention in seconds. He blinks a few times to get the light out of his eyes, squinting at where the noise came from— and Eddie’s mind is fresh off a joint, so he’s not a hundred percent sure if he’s just envisioning that journalist from the other day or she’s actually here.

He stands up from the drum riser, stepping further into the stage as he watches you walk down the rows of seats; barely acknowledges the stage manager when he asks him to play the riff from track four until Jeff walks into his line of sight, “Come on, man, I wanna get this over with.”

Eddie situates his fingers over the frets of his guitar, watching as you find a seat in the third row and settle in, settling your bag in your lap and holding it to you as you silently watch the crew work the stage. He plays the riff a few times, until they can fix that god-awful ringing noise behind the higher notes, and when they finally wrap up rehearsals, Eddie makes a beeline to the front row where Richie is standing, quietly chatting with a staff member about where he wants the road cases to go. Eddie doesn’t care much for their conversation, steps in, and promptly interrupts, “Why the fuck is that journalist here?”

Richard turns to him and raises his eyebrows, “Sir?”

The staff member leaves as Eddie leans in and points over Richard's shoulder to where you sit, still quietly watching the stage, bright lights illuminating your face like you’re some god-sent fucking angel— and you’re not. Eddie knows you’re not. He sees straight through your friendly act. “The journalist, Richie. Why is she here?” He slowly repeats.

Richie glances at you and looks back at Eddie, “She’s doing a story on the band—” “No, she’s fucking not.”

Richie stares at Eddie, blinks for a silent moment before speaking, “Son,” —and sometimes Richie reminds Eddie of Wayne, and it scares him, “She’s gonna put you on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine.” Richie points your way. Eddie falters momentarily, mindlessly blinking and shaking his head, “Cover?”

Richie laughs and pats Eddie on the shoulder, “Yeah. The fucking cover,” he says, “so, whether you like it or not, you’re doing the interview. This is what the band needs.”

Eddie shakes his head, curly strands brushing the muscles of his shoulders, “We don’t need a goddamn cover, Richie. We’re not doing a fucking story—” “Yes, you are.” Richie doesn’t mean to make his voice boom through the arena, but it attracts attention either way, and he sighs, rubbing the bridge of his nose before clapping a hand onto the back of Eddie’s shoulder, turning both away from the stage.

“You’re putting out an album in a few months. You want it to sell, don’t you?”

Eddie clenches his jaw, teeth grinding against each other as he glances over his shoulder, annoyed when he catches you watching— almost smirks when you quickly look away as if you’d been caught red-handed. Despite Eddie’s strong will, he nods because fucking obviously he wants the album to sell— but at what cost?

Richie nods and squeezes Eddie’s shoulder, “Good. Then you’ll do the interview. She’ll be with us for all of New York, so play nice. We need a good piece.” and leaves Eddie with a pat on his shoulder.

Eddie stands there for a moment, gathering himself and trying to cope with the fact that some fucking narc will be on their back for the next month. He doesn’t see or hear you walk up to him until you say his name. The barricade separates you, your fingers gripping the black railing as you stand before him. Eddie’s hands are on his hips, not moving an inch as he looks at you.

“I know you don’t want me here, but I… I’m just doing my job, and if you can cooperate, this will be easier for the both of us.”

And Eddie— god, Eddie can’t fucking believe the audacity.

“Did you fuck Richie?”

He watches you pull back, blinking at him as you stare silently. Eddie tilts his head, eyebrows raising to push the answer from you, “No, I didn’t—” You shake your head and blink hard in confusion, “Why would I—” “Because you want a good story.” Eddie snaps, “Right?”

Because that’s all anybody ever wants from him. A good story. A tale to tell their friends about. Tell them the secrets they pulled from Eddie Munson, tell them about the famous rockstar that fucked them backstage, tell them they know what makes him crack. A good story.

You gape at him, lost and shocked by the sudden confrontation.

You straighten up and tilt your head, eyes growing harsh with anger as you respond, “No. I didn’t fuck Richie. I don’t fuck to get where I want, I pull strings, and I make it work,” you snap, “I treat people with the respect they deserve, and I get what I want. You could learn a few things from that.”

And with that, you’re gone. Leaving Eddie behind with a twisted face of annoyance. He watches you walk over to where Richie is and greet him, but he doesn’t stick around long enough to watch or tune in to the conversation, storming through the arena and grabbing his coat to get in the car and tell the driver to take him to his hotel.

One month. Twelve shows and thirty days. One month.

Eddie can play along, he thinks. How hard can it be?

————

part two

877 notes · View notes

perfectsunlight · 10 months

Text

𝐯𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞

𝗸𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗹𝗴𝗶 𝘅 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿

𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: 𝗮𝗴𝗲-𝗴𝗮𝗽, 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘀, 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝘂𝗻𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽

𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁: 𝟭𝟯𝗸 (𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗺𝗴)

𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆: 𝘃𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲 - 𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝗿𝗼𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗼

𝘀𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗹𝗴𝗶 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘂𝗽 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗺 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗿. 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝘃𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁, 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗱𝗼𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗯𝘂𝗺. 𝗶𝗳 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂.

your feet echoed through the halls of sm entertainment, walls with portraits of numerous notable idols and framed records. each one seemed more impressive with each passing action, making the butterflies in your stomach flutter with excitement.

that could be you, next. after all, sm had scouted you and immediately wanted to sign you after seeing the viral video of you singing the national anthem at a baseball game.

as you turned down the end of the hall, a familiar portrait of red velvet was seen on the wall in front of you. your eyes wandered over the frame, scanning the familiar faces of the idols.

one recognizable face in particular stood out to you the most.

kang seulgi.

her captivating presence emanated from the image, reminding you of the countless performances and music videos that had mesmerized audiences worldwide.

it was hard not to feel a sense of connection, knowing that she had once stood where you stood, and was now your producer.

you hadn’t met her yet. the managers had mentioned that you’d be meeting her today, since you were due to start working on your debut album as soon as possible.

sm saw something in you, and you could only hope that seulgi saw something too.

to be quite honest, there wasn’t much in common between the two of you. you were only 19, new to the industry, and had not an ounce of fame to your name.

seulgi was 34, a household name and well seasoned member of the industry. it actually caught you off guard when you were told that she’d be your producer. after all, you figured she’d rather work with sm’s trainees.

with shaking hands, you slowly approached the door to the recording studio you were supposed to meet seulgi in.

as you stood outside the door of the recording studio, anticipation and nervousness pulsed through your veins. the weight of the moment felt almost overwhelming, considering the stark differences between you and seulgi.

doubts crept into your mind, wondering if you were truly ready for this opportunity, whether the former idol would see your potential, or if you would be overshadowed by her seasoned presence.

with trembling hands, you mustered the courage to push open the door. the familiar scent of soundproof walls and the soft hum of equipment welcomed you, instantly enveloping you in an atmosphere of creativity.

as you stepped further into the studio, seulgi motioned for you to take a seat. the room was adorned with musical instruments, soundboards, and lyrics scattered across the table—a realm where creativity would soon unfold. seulgi's gaze, now focused on you, held a spark of curiosity and genuine interest.

her obsidian hues complimented her enigmatic aura.

"i've watched the video of you singing the national anthem," she began, her words like velvet to your ears. "you have a unique voice and undeniable talent. i believe in your potential, and together, we can create something truly special."

the former idol’s lips curved into a small smile, and maybe it was just the way she was, but you couldn’t help but feel as if there was something sinister behind it.

the fleeting thought sent a shiver down your spine, momentarily clouding the excitement that had consumed you moments before. was it just your imagination playing tricks on you, or was there more to seulgi’s enigmatic demeanor than met the eye?

pushing aside the unsettling notion, you chose to focus on the opportunity that lay before you.

seulgi’s belief in your talent and her willingness to collaborate were what mattered most at this moment. perhaps the slight unease you felt was merely a result of your own insecurities and the magnitude of this pivotal moment in your career.

taking a deep breath, you found solace in the scent of the recording studio and the creative energy that surrounded you.

the former idol’s presence, although mysterious, held the promise of guidance and artistic synergy. the room seemed to pulse with possibilities, and you couldn’t let apprehension cloud the potential for a remarkable musical journey.

gathering your courage, you met seulgi’s gaze and reciprocated her smile. whatever hidden intentions might lurk beneath the surface, you were determined to focus on the task at hand — creating music that would touch hearts and leave a lasting impact on the industry.

“you seem nervous, y/n.” she whispered, voice alluring and velvety. her midnight eyes bore into yours, making the butterflies in your stomach do a few flips.

she leaned in a bit closer, reaching her hand and placing it onto your knee.

“don’t worry,” the older woman chuckled, eyes not leaving yours as she smiled, with a hint of sinister, at you. “i’ll take care of you.”

seulgi’s touch on your knee, combined with her soothing voice, offered a conflicting mix of comfort and unease.

the weight of her words and the enigmatic undercurrent in her grin sent a chill down your spine. was there something more to her offer of care and guidance than met the eye? it was difficult to ignore the lingering doubts that resurfaced.

nevertheless, you chose to push those thoughts aside, reminding yourself that success often comes with its fair share of complexity.

you had dreamed of this opportunity, and now it was within your grasp. trusting in seulgi’s experience and expertise became paramount, for she had forged her own path in the industry and knew the ins and outs better than anyone.

with a hesitant half smile, you mustered your resolve and replied, “thank you. i trust you.”

the former idol’s eyes flickered for a moment before she leaned back, that mysterious grin still plastered on her face.

“good. go stand in the booth.” she said softly, eyes not moving from yours.

a wave of confusion crossed your features. you didn’t think you’d start doing anything today. “right now?”

the question you asked made seulgi’s eyebrow arch expectantly. without another word, you slowly stood, knowing better than to ask again.

you weren’t really ready or prepared to start anything today, but for some reason you felt like you couldn’t say no to her.

as you made your way inside the recording booth, uncertainty gnawed at the back of your mind. the unexpected turn of events left you feeling unprepared and vulnerable.

yet, there was an inexplicable magnetism in seulgi’s presence that compelled you to not question her.

entering the booth, you adjusted the headphones, feeling the weight of the moment settle upon you.

seulgi’s voice flowed through the intercom, guiding you through the process. her instructions were precise, instructing you to simply listen to the demo a few times and then sing it with your own voice.

“and one more thing, y/n.” the older woman’s comment made you look up and stare at her through the glass separating the two of you.

her dark eyes swirled with something you couldn’t quite understand yet, but her gaze was zoned in on you as she continued speaking.

“when i tell you to do something, you do it.”

a sense of unease crept over you once again, intensified by seulgi’s commanding tone. her words held an underlying intensity that made you wonder about the true nature of this collaboration. however, the desire to prove yourself and make the most of this opportunity pushed you to set aside your doubts, at least for now.

nodding in response, you took a deep breath, grounding yourself in the present moment. the weight of your producer’s expectations felt palpable, yet it also fueled a determination within you.

you wanted to be the next photo on the walls of sm. and in order to do that, you needed to do everything seulgi asked of you.

after all, you weren’t exactly in a position to say no.

as the session progressed, seulgi's instructions became more specific and demanding. she pushed you to explore different vocal techniques, encouraging you to go beyond your comfort zone. though her guidance was undoubtedly skilled, you couldn't shake the feeling that there was an ulterior motive behind every suggestion.

you focused on delivering your best performance, allowing your voice to flow with emotion and authenticity, even as doubt gnawed at the back of your mind.

hours flew by, and you found yourself immersed in the process. the former idol’s presence was captivating, her energy contagious. she was slowly pushing you to your limits, coaxing out the raw talent hidden within you. with each passing moment, the unease you had felt earlier was momentarily overshadowed by a sense of exhilaration and accomplishment.

but as the recording session drew to a close, seulgi's demeanor changed. the enigmatic smile faded from her face, replaced by a steely gaze that sent a shiver down your spine.

"you have potential, y/n," she said, her voice devoid of its earlier warmth. "but remember, success comes at a price. are you willing to pay for it?"

the weight of her words settled upon you, and you couldn't deny the unease that resurfaced.

in that moment, you made a silent promise to yourself. you would strive for success, but not at the cost of your own well-being.

with newfound determination, you met seulgi's gaze and replied, your voice filled with a hint of defiance, "i want to succeed, but not at any cost. i'll tread carefully and make my own choices."

seulgi's eyes flashed with a mixture of surprise and something else, an emotion you couldn't quite decipher. but she nodded, a flicker of amusement crossing her features.

"very well," she said, her tone measured. "let's see how far you can go, y/n."

since you were spending more and more time at the company, you became familiar with a few of the artists. ningning was only 5 years older than you, naturally making you two closer because of your ages and your common ground in vocality. the chinese woman was the only true friend you had in the company.

you sat in one of the lounge rooms with ningning, sharing a quick snack together before you had to go in and work with the former red velvet member. as the two of you engaged in casual conversation, you saw your producer talking with a few girls your age. trainees, you assumed.

“have you met seulgi yet?” ningning asked, turning her head to look at you after you swallowed a bite of your food. her gaze held something you couldn’t quite pick up, but it seemed like she was concerned.

you answered with a small nod. “yeah, she’s my producer.”

the idol’s gaze darkened, looking down the hall at her senior and then back at you. she whispered in a low tone you had never heard from her before. “if anything happens, come to me okay?”

the seriousness in ningning's voice caught you off guard, and a shiver ran down your spine. it was the first time you had seen her exhibit such concern and protectiveness. you couldn't help but wonder what she meant by "if anything happens."

feeling a mix of curiosity and apprehension, you leaned in closer to your friend, lowering your voice to match hers. "what do you mean by that? is there something i should be worried about?"

the idol hesitated for a moment, her gaze shifting as if contemplating how much she should reveal. eventually, she sighed and spoke in a hushed tone, barely audible above the background noise. "she's not like the other producers. there are rumors about her, whispers of a hidden agenda. some say she's dangerous."

your heart skipped a beat at ningning's words. the initial allure and fascination you felt toward seulgi began to wane, replaced by a sense of caution. you had always dreamt of making it big in the industry, but you never expected that it would come with such potential risks.

ningning continued, her voice tinged with worry. "i've seen trainees come and go, disappearing without a trace after working closely with her. it's as if they never existed. i can't say for sure what's going on, but please, promise me that you'll be careful."

the gravity of the situation sank in, and you found yourself torn between your ambitions and the fear of the unknown. the desire to succeed still burned within you, but you couldn't ignore the warning signs. there was more at stake than just your career.

you met ningning's concerned gaze, appreciating her genuine concern for your well-being. "i promise i'll keep an eye out and be cautious. and if anything seems off, i'll come to you."

she nodded, a flicker of relief crossing her face. "that's all i ask. you’re not alone in this, okay?"

as you returned to your thoughts, you couldn't shake the lingering sense of unease. seulgi's presence, once captivating and intriguing, now held an undercurrent of suspicion.

with each passing moment, you became more determined to unravel the truth behind the rumors and protect yourself in the process.

when it was time for your session with seulgi, you entered the familiar studio. immediately, the older woman’s eyes were glued to your figure as she watched you take off your jacket and the way your shirt pulled up a little to show a glimpse of your abdomen.

you couldn't help but feel a prickle of discomfort as seulgi's gaze lingered on you, her mysterious grin widening ever so slightly. it was as if she were studying you, assessing your every move. ignoring the unease, you took a deep breath and approached her confidently.

"good morning, unnie," you greeted, mustering a smile that barely masked your apprehension. "i'm ready to work."

seulgi's eyes flickered with a mix of amusement and something else you couldn't quite decipher. "excellent," she purred, her voice carrying a husky undertone. "let's dive right into it, shall we?"

when you got inside the booth, you noticed a small tea waiting for you with your name on it. a small smile formed as you looked up at seulgi through the glass. “did you get me this?” you asked.

seulgi's lips curled into a sly smile, her eyes fixed on you as she nodded. "i thought you might like it," she replied, her voice laced with a hint of mischief. "consider it a little treat for your hard work."

as you took a sip of the tea, the warmth spreading through your body, you couldn't help but wonder if this was a genuine gesture or another calculated move. the rumors and warnings echoed in the back of your mind, reminding you to remain vigilant.

but you found yourself brushing the worries off because of her kind gesture. was she really that bad as people were making her out to be?

throughout the session, seulgi's presence remained palpable, her gaze intense as she guided you through the recording process. it was undeniable that she had a certain charisma and talent for bringing out the best in her artists.

as the day progressed, you found yourself more attuned to seulgi's every word and action, searching for any sign of ulterior motives. however, she remained professional, never crossing any obvious boundaries or exhibiting any behavior that would raise immediate concern.

yet, there was an undeniable undercurrent of tension between you, an unspoken power dynamic that you couldn't quite shake off. the connection you had once felt with seulgi had transformed into something more complicated, a delicate dance between admiration and wariness.

days turned into weeks, and the recording sessions continued. the enigma surrounding seulgi only deepened, leaving you in a constant state of uncertainty. you had moments of doubt, questioning whether the rumors were simply baseless gossip.

especially when you were receiving a lot of special treatment from the senior woman. every session, seulgi brought you something. even on your late night recording sessions, she would order dinner for you without any hesitation.

even she said herself that you were the only artist she was comfortable enough doing these things for, especially because she wanted to do it for you.

but the warnings from ningning and the underlying caution in seulgi's demeanor couldn't be ignored, even if you tried. and it only took one particular interaction for you to really see the reality of everything.

today, the dark haired woman wanted you to practice a particular line in the demo for your title track. it was a little out of your vocal range, but seulgi was determined to get it out of you.

her executioner gaze remained on you through the glass as you did a few takes of the line, but after the 5th run, she stood up slowly and made her way inside the booth with you.

she slowly walked in front of you, eyes never leaving yours. “let me help you, sweetheart.”

something about her tone, and the small pet name made you feel a bit fuzzy inside. you gave her a small nod, watching as she moved to stand behind you. seulgi wasn’t really tall usually, but on your producing days she always wore shoes that made her look way taller.

her mouth was behind your ear, whispering softly but not touching your hair. “do you want me to help you?”

the offer caught you off guard, and you hesitated for a moment. the warnings from ningning echoed in your mind, reminding you to be cautious. but a part of you couldn't deny the allure of seulgi's presence, the way her voice sent shivers down your spine.

with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity, you turned slightly to face her, meeting her intense gaze. "i would appreciate your help, unnie."

seulgi's lips curved into a satisfied smile, and her hands gently rested on your waist, sending a jolt of electricity through your body.

her touch was both comforting and unsettling, a paradox you couldn't quite grasp.

her fingers grazed your sides, her voice resonating in your ears. “you’re not breathing right,” she whispered. “breathe slower, not faster.”

the proximity between the two of you felt unnerving, yet you couldn't deny the undeniable tension that crackled in the air. it was as if you were dancing to a dangerous melody, surrendering to the whims of an enigmatic conductor.

but amidst the intensity, a voice in the back of your mind reminded you of the rumors, the whispers that painted seulgi as something more than just a producer. a wave of doubt washed over you, threatening to break the fragile connection forming between the two of you.

summoning all your courage, you gathered your thoughts and spoke in a soft but determined voice, barely audible above the instrumental track playing in the background. "unnie, what are you doing?"

seulgi's grip on your waist tightened briefly before she leaned closer to you, her expression unreadable because she was out of your line of sight. you could only feel her breath fanning the side of your face, and the grip of her hands.

“you don’t want to disappoint me, do you?”

seulgi's words sent a chill down your spine, and a knot formed in the pit of your stomach. the lingering doubts and warnings from ningning echoed louder than ever, urging you to be cautious and question seulgi's intentions.

taking a step back, you gently extricated yourself from seulgi's touch, creating a safe distance between the two of you. the studio suddenly felt suffocating, the air heavy with tension.

"i appreciate your guidance, unnie, but this is crossing a line," you replied, your voice steady but laced with a twinge of hesitation. "it's important to maintain a professional boundary."

seulgi's expression faltered for a moment, surprise flickering across her features. it was as if she hadn't expected you to resist her advances. she quickly composed herself, masking her reaction with a calculated smile.

"of course," she said, her voice strained with a hint of disappointment. "i apologize if i overstepped. let's focus on the music."

as you continued with the recording session, the dynamics between you and seulgi had shifted. the once mysterious allure she held had faded, replaced by an underlying tension and an unspoken understanding that the boundaries must be respected.

throughout the session, you maintained a heightened sense of awareness, ensuring your interactions with seulgi remained strictly professional. as a matter of fact, and to your surprise, she did. she didn’t even bother sparing you a second glance most of the time, making you feel a bit conflicted.

you couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and disappointment. the lingering doubts remained, but you had managed to assert yourself and establish a sense of professionalism. once the session ended for the day, you grabbed your jacket and turned to leave.

“goodnight, unnie.” you said softly, looking like a puppy who was waiting to make sure their master wasn’t upset at them. however, to your unexpected disappointment, seulgi didn’t look back and say anything else to you.

seulgi's lack of response stung, leaving you with a pang of disappointment. you had hoped for some acknowledgment or reassurance, but her silence spoke volumes. it was evident that the dynamics between you and seulgi had changed, and the mysterious allure that had initially captivated you was now replaced by a void of indifference.

as you made your way out of the studio, you couldn't help but reflect on the situation. the rumors and warnings from ningning were no longer just whispers in the wind but a tangible reminder of the potential risks that came with pursuing your dreams.

you had stood your ground, set important boundaries and made sure you protected yourself.

however, why did you feel like you had done something wrong?

when you got home that night, you couldn’t sleep. you tossed and turned in your bed, confused and feeling inexplicably hurt. seulgi was someone you admire greatly, and working with her was definitely a huge blessing.

but you couldn’t help but feel like you disappointed her, even though you were setting boundaries.

seulgi was mad at you, wasn’t she? she was going to hate you now, and she wasn’t going to treat you any differently than she was treating her co-workers.

why did that thought make your heartbeat falter? you liked it when seulgi was nice to you, especially since the only other people she’s close with are her members. she was decently close with you, too.

the internal struggle between protecting yourself and wanting seulgi's approval weighed heavily on your mind. it was difficult to reconcile the admiration and respect you had for her as a talented producer with the uncomfortable encounter in the studio.

you questioned yourself repeatedly, wondering if you had made the right decision to set boundaries.

as the night wore on, your thoughts circled back to the warnings ningning had given you. she cared about you, and her advice was rooted in concern. but now, you couldn't shake the fear of losing the positive rapport you had built with the former red velvet member.

the next day at the studio, you felt a knot in your stomach as you walked in. the atmosphere felt tense, and you were unsure of how seulgi would react to you. to your surprise, she was entirely professional, treating you just like any other artist she worked with.

there were no lingering glances or special treatment. it stung, but you reminded yourself that this was what you had wanted – a clear professional boundary.

however, as the days went by, the dynamic between you and seulgi remained distant. she didn't engage in small talk or show any interest in your life beyond the music. it hurt more than you anticipated, and you found yourself yearning for the moments when seulgi had offered her guidance and encouragement.

you couldn't help but miss the person who had made you feel special, the enigmatic conductor who had ignited a spark of curiosity within you. but now, that spark felt extinguished, leaving behind confusion and regret.

in the weeks that followed, your interactions with seulgi remained strictly professional. no more teas and dinners, or little snacks with notes. it was just a work relationship, nothing more and nothing less.

one day, as you were about to leave the studio after a recording session, you gave into the gnawing thoughts and decided to ask if the older woman was alright.

your heart wavered, torn between the need to maintain your boundaries and the desire to reach out to her.

taking a deep breath, you approached her cautiously. "seulgi unnie, is everything okay?" you asked, trying to hide the concern in your voice.

she glanced up, and for a brief moment, you caught a glimpse of something in her eyes. "i'm fine," she replied curtly, but her tone lacked the usual conviction.

you hesitated for a moment before speaking your mind, "i just wanted to say that i really appreciate your guidance during the recording sessions. you've helped me grow as an artist, and i'm grateful for that."

the former idol gave you a small nod, before looking back at the screen in front of her, clicking at a few things. “i’m glad.”

dejected. that was the right word. you felt dejected, and if from the side of seulgi’s vision you practically looked like a kicked puppy.

as you stood there, the silence between you and seulgi grew heavier. it seemed as though the connection you once shared had been irrevocably damaged. you wanted to salvage the relationship, to find a way to bridge the gap that had formed between you, but you couldn't ignore the walls that seulgi had put up.

with a heavy heart, you realized that, despite your best intentions, it seemed as if she was going to stay like this. it was a painful realization, but it was also a part of your choice.

you turned to leave, your steps heavy with disappointment. but just as you reached the door, you heard a soft voice behind you.

"wait."

you paused, your heart fluttering with a flicker of hope. turning slowly, you looked back at seulgi, who had an uncharacteristically happy expression on her face. it was like she had flipped some sort of switch from stoic and cold to acting as if nothing was wrong.

“you’ll be seeing another producer for the next few days.”

it was obvious that you couldn’t contain the look of confusion on your features at this new revelation.

“why?” you asked, voice laced with a twinge of disappointment and utter confusion.

“i want to spend more time with another trainee i’m working with.” seulgi said nonchalantly, smiling still. “today will be the last session with me until next week.”

the news took you by surprise, and a mixture of emotions washed over you. on one hand, you felt a sense of relief that the tense dynamic would be momentarily relieved, allowing you some time to process your own feelings.

on the other hand, you couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment and confusion at seulgi's sudden change of behavior.

"another trainee?" you repeated, your voice barely above a whisper.

you couldn't help but wonder why seulgi hadn't mentioned this before. you were aware she worked with all the trainees when sm was making testing groups, but you were not aware she was in charge of producing for a trainee who hadn’t even debuted yet.

seulgi nodded, her voice still velvety as ever. "yes. i thought it would be best to dedicate some focused time to this trainee's development. don't worry, it's just for a short while."

despite her attempt to reassure you, the lingering doubts resurfaced. but you knew better than to question this woman who had so much power over your career.

you mustered a small smile, trying to hide your disappointment. "i understand."

as your producer had mentioned, the next day you were sitting in a different recording room with a different producer.

sm had extremely capable staff members, and it was always an honor to work with anyone here. but you felt disappointed the entire time. to your surprise, you missed seulgi.

despite the boundaries you two had set, you found yourself being unfocused and not liking the time apart from the former idol. it was odd.

on one hand, you felt like you needed to focus with this new producer and not worry about the older woman. she was just doing her job, and you needed to do yours.

but on the other hand, you felt yourself missing the special treatment from her. she was your producer, and you loved working with her, even if seulgi had hidden agendas and ulterior motives.

as the days went by, you found it increasingly challenging to concentrate on your music without seulgi's presence. the new producer was talented and supportive, but there was a spark missing, a connection that you couldn't recreate with anyone else.

you questioned yourself once again, wondering if your desire for seulgi's approval had clouded your judgment. had you become too attached to her, despite the boundaries you had set? it was a confusing mix of emotions, and you couldn't help but feel conflicted.

in the midst of your internal struggle, you received a message from ningning, asking if you were free to meet up. grateful for the opportunity to share your feelings with someone who understood, you agreed to meet her at a nearby café.

as you sat across from the asepa member, the words spilled out of you, a mixture of confusion, disappointment, and longing. you told her about the encounter with seulgi and how the dynamics had changed since you had set boundaries. ningning listened intently, her gaze sympathetic.

"i understand how you feel," she said softly. "it's natural to miss her, even if it wasn't entirely healthy. but remember, you set those boundaries for a reason. it's important to prioritize your well-being and protect yourself."

you nodded, appreciating ningning's perspective. she reminded you of the importance of self-care and staying true to your boundaries.

"like i said, it’s okay to miss her, but don't let that cloud your judgment," ning continued. "focus on your music and your growth as an artist. she’s just your producer at the end of the day.”

for some reason, that last part bothered you a little. seulgi was more than just a producer to you. sure, she may do some questionable things, but you felt connected to her beyond just a contract. she was definitely more than just someone you worked with.

the end of the week finally came, making you feel relieved in a way to finally be back with seulgi. as you approached the door to the booth, you were practically skipping with excitement to see the older woman.

you looked at your phone to check the time, making sure to go inside right when the minute changed. you didn’t want to waste a single second now that you were back working with her.

when the time changed, you pushed the door open with an excited smile on your face. however, it immediately fell when you saw the way seulgi was smiling at the trainee inside the booth.

seulgi didn’t spare you a second glance as the backtrack stopped, the other girl exiting the booth with a smile on her face. “that’ll be it for today. good job, sweetheart.” the older woman’s voice rang out, the trainee accepting the compliment with a smile as she leaned over and hugged seulgi.

“thank you, unnie. you’re amazing.” the girl not too older than you said as your producer hugged her back. seulgi chuckled softly, patting the girl’s shoulder gently.

whatever feeling it was brewing inside you, you didn’t like it. you didn’t like how this girl was hugging her, or how seulgi was calling her sweetheart.

that was your nickname. and that was your producer.

you stood frozen in the doorway, unable to tear your gaze away from the scene unfolding before you. jealousy and insecurity gnawed at your insides, causing a surge of conflicting emotions. it was a reminder that seulgi's attention wasn't solely reserved for you, and it left you feeling vulnerable and possessive.

seulgi finally looked up and noticed your presence. her expression transformed into a composed mask, hiding whatever conflicted emotions she might have been feeling.

"ah, you're here," seulgi said, her voice betraying no hint of the connection you had once shared. "this is yuna, the trainee i've been working closely with."

you managed to force a smile, though it felt strained on your lips. "nice to meet you, yuna," you greeted, trying to appear unaffected by the situation.

yuna returned the greeting with a friendly smile, seemingly oblivious to the tension in the room. "nice to meet you too. seulgi unnie has been such an amazing mentor to me."

the words hit you like a punch to the gut, fueling a mix of jealousy and insecurity. you couldn't help but compare yourself to yuna, wondering if she had taken your place in seulgi's eyes.

seulgi cleared her throat, sensing the discomfort in the air. "we'll be wrapping up for today," she announced, her gaze shifting between you and yuna. "yuna, why don't you head back to the trainee practice room? i'll catch up with you later."

yuna nodded, giving seulgi a grateful smile before she left the room, leaving the two of you alone. the silence between you was suffocating, and you struggled to find the right words to express your thoughts.

“alright, we’ll pick up with the last chorus you did.” seulgi said casually, maintaining professionalism. she moved to pick up a few papers on her desk before you moved your hand to stop her by grabbing her arm.

seulgi raised an eyebrow at you, glancing between your hand and her arm. “what are you doing, y/n?” she asked casually, looking at you and waiting for a response.

you held onto seulgi's arm tightly, your voice filled with a mix of determination and vulnerability. "unnie, we need to talk. this can't continue like this. i can't keep pretending that everything is fine when it's not."

seulgi's composed expression faltered for a moment, a flicker of concern crossing her features. she gently freed her arm from your grip and took a step closer, her eyes searching yours. "y/n, what's wrong? what's been bothering you?"

you took a deep breath, trying to steady your racing thoughts. "i like you, unnie." the second the words left your mouth you regretted them. irene was 34. you were only 19. she was your producer, your senior, your mentor.

this was wrong. it was so wrong.

the older woman chuckled softly. “you’re the one who wanted to set professional boundaries, sweetheart. i don’t understand why the sudden switch up.”

you swallowed hard, feeling a mix of embarrassment and regret wash over you. you had let your emotions get the better of you, blurting out your feelings without considering the consequences. the realization of your mistake hit you like a wave, and you struggled to find the right words to explain yourself.

“aw,” she whispered as she gently brushed her palm against your cheek before she leaned in and whispered in your ear. “someone’s jealous huh?” her low tone sent shivers down your spine.

you gasped softly at the touch and the intimate proximity, feeling a rush of conflicting emotions course through your veins. seulgi's words and actions only heightened the intensity of the moment, and you found it difficult to gather your thoughts.

a hue of pink flushed your cheeks as you stammered out a response. "i didn't mean to come across as jealous," you stuttered, your voice barely audible. "just seeing you with yuna, hearing the way you interacted with her, it made me question my own place in your life."

seulgi's features softened in a way that seemed genuine, her thumb gently caressing your cheek. "you’re so cute when you’re jealous, princess." she whispered lowly, predatory eyes contrasting her soft demeanor.

your heart pounded in your chest as you tried to make sense of the situation. seulgi's comment only served to heighten your confusion and the intensity of your emotions. it was clear that seulgi was enjoying teasing you, but you couldn't help but wonder if there was more behind her words.

as you opened your mouth to speak, the older woman hushed you gently and moved so you were leaning against the desk. she leaned in closer to you, her breath fanning your lips which were mere inches away from hers.

“do you want me, sweetheart?” her midnight eyes locked onto yours, gaze not tearing away for even a moment. “because i want you. you’re so talented,” slowly she moved her hand down your hip, caressing your waist with her free hand.

your heart raced, caught in a whirlwind of desire and uncertainty. the intensity of seulgi's gaze and the seductive tone of her voice sent a shiver down your spine. you had never imagined this scenario unfolding between you and your producer, and yet, here you were, feeling the weight of the moment.

her touch on your waist sent a jolt of electricity through your body, and you found yourself leaning into her, unable to resist the magnetic pull between you. the air crackled with anticipation as you searched for the right words to respond.

"unnie this is wrong," you managed to say, your voice barely above a whisper. "we need to consider the consequences."

the older woman found your hesitation adorable in the most sinister way possible. she didn’t care about any consequences, because there weren’t any.

at least, for her there weren’t any.

“you’re forgetting who i am, sweetheart.” she husked out, slowly whispering to you once more as she slipped her hand onto the top of your thigh. “no one will do anything to you as long as you’re with me, i promise.”

your mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. the allure of seulgi's touch and her promises of protection were tempting, but deep down, you knew that giving in to this forbidden desire could have serious consequences.

it wasn't just about your careers or the potential scandal; it was about the imbalance of power and the ethical implications of engaging in a romantic relationship with your producer.

"are you sure?" you replied, your voice trembling slightly. seulgi only grinned like the cheshire cat she was. “you trust me, don’t you?” her silver tongued words persuaded you easily once again.

caught up in the intensity of the moment, your judgment wavered. the desire for seulgi, mixed with the reassurance of her promises, clouded your thoughts. in that vulnerable moment, you found yourself nodding, your trust in her overpowering any remaining doubts.

seulgi's grin widened, revealing a hint of triumph. she leaned in closer, her lips grazing your earlobe as she whispered, "then let go of your worries, princess. just focus on us."

her words sent a surge of anticipation through your body, overpowering the last remnants of hesitation. you closed your eyes, allowing yourself to succumb to the intoxicating allure of the forbidden. the thought of consequences became a distant echo as seulgi's touch consumed your senses.

she captured your lips with a hunger that mirrored your own, igniting a passionate fire between you. the kiss deepened, becoming a desperate exploration of each other's desires. the weight of the world faded away, leaving only the two of you entangled in a web of longing and lust.

time lost all meaning as you surrendered to the moment, giving in to the forbidden love that had been brewing between you. every touch, every whispered word, fueled the flames of desire. in that stolen space, you found solace and bliss, even if it meant sacrificing the boundaries you had once set.

days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. your secret relationship with seulgi continued in the shadows, hidden from prying eyes. despite the risks, the moments you shared with her were filled with passion and tenderness. each stolen glance, each stolen touch, reinforced the bond that had formed between you.

but as time went on, you noticed something shifting in your relationship with seulgi.

hate to give the satisfaction

asking how you're doing now

how's the castle built off people you pretend to care about?

“sing the higher register, y/n.” the older woman commanded with her velvety voice, brushing a strand of hair out of her face as she looked at you through the glass.

taking a deep breath, you tried to gather your thoughts. you had been singing the same line over and over again because seulgi insisted on you singing out of your range. you really didn’t want to, but you never told the older woman no.

despite this upcoming album being yours, you never had any say in anything. whatever seulgi wanted, was what was used. you had zero input on any of it. however, you were tired of that.

you wanted a say in your music, even if it was just a small change in the register.

shifting the headphones on your head, you turned to look at your producer through the glass. “baby?” you asked softly, making the former idol’s head whip in your direction.

seulgi’s eyes narrowed instantly, an icy stare bearing into yours. “it’s unnie when we’re working, y/n. don’t call me that.”

her response sent a chill down your spine, a stark contrast to the tenderness and affection you had experienced in your private moments. the sudden change in demeanor reminded you of the power dynamics at play in your relationship and the control she wielded over your career.

taking a deep breath to steady yourself, you pushed back the nagging voice of doubt and fear. you had to stand up for yourself, right? it felt like the right thing to do, anyway.

"unnie," you said, your voice firm yet composed. "i want to be involved in the creative process of my music. it's my album, too, and i should have a say in how it's shaped."

seulgi's eyes narrowed further, her lips curling into a condescending smirk. "oh, really?” even through the glass, her stare made you feel a knot in your stomach. “and what makes you think you have the experience or knowledge to make those decisions? i've been in this industry for years, and i know what works."

her dismissive tone reminded you of your place in this picture. but even then, you felt as if your lack of experience wasn’t something that immediately removed you from your own creative process.

"i may not have your years of experience, but this is my art, my expression. no one knows my voice and vision better than i do."

the former idol’s grip tightened around the pen she held in her hand, her knuckles turning white. "don't forget your place, y/n.” she said in a low tone, her steely gaze still locked onto your face.

“you're lucky to even have this opportunity. i can easily replace you if you don't cooperate."

her words stung, but you knew she was right. this was a competitive industry, and the fact that she was even working with you was the best case scenario for your career.

you slowly ducked your head and put the headphones back on, earning a smug smile from the older woman behind the glass. for some reason, you could feel yourself wondering if seulgi really did care about you.

but if she didn’t care about you, why would she be helping you?

once you situated yourself, you looked back at your lover who was still smiling condescendingly at you.

“good girl, now sing the higher register of the bridge.”

just what you wanted

look at you, cool guy, you got it

i see the parties and the diamonds sometimes when i close my eyes

you sat in the studio and twireled the pen in your fingers, looking over a few of your notes for the title track you had been working on. the sound of the door opening was what made your gaze shift from the paper.

seulgi shut the door behind her, a smile on her face as she walked over to you with a small box in her hands. “hi sweetheart,” she whispered as she pressed her lips to the side of your temple. relaxing at the small action, your eyes met hers with a mirrored smile.

“i have something for you.” she added, sitting in the chair next to you as she slid the black box across towards you.

you were confused for a moment, but slowly opened the box. a small gasp escaped your lips as you saw what was inside.

a beautiful iridescent diamond bracelet.

the sight of the exquisite diamond bracelet left you momentarily speechless. its iridescent beauty captivated your gaze, reflecting the studio lights in a mesmerizing display. your fingers grazed over the delicate links, feeling the weight of the gift in your hands.

"unnie," you trailed off, unable to find the right words to express your gratitude and surprise. it was an extravagant gift, one that held both symbolic and material significance.

seulgi's eyes sparkled with a mix of anticipation and affection as she watched your reaction. "i wanted to show you how much i believe in you, how much i care about your success," she explained, her voice soft and genuine.

"i want to see you shine."

as her words sank in, a wave of conflicting emotions washed over you. the gesture was undeniably thoughtful, yet it also served as a reminder of the power dynamics at play. seulgi's control over your career was reinforced by her ability to both reward and manipulate.

“i don’t know what to say,” you chuckled in disbelief. the older woman leaned in closer to you, cupping your face gently as she moved the box to hold you closer.

“don’t say anything, sweetheart.”

her warm breath brushed against your cheek, and you couldn't help but be drawn in by her magnetic presence. the softness of her touch was alluring, and for a moment, it was easy to forget about the complexities of your relationship.

as seulgi's thumb gently caressed your cheek, you could feel all of those foolish thoughts slipping away. and once her lips were on your neck, it was even easier to forget about everything, including your previous disagreement just a few days ago.

if only you could forget seeing yuna wearing the same exact bracelet as she left the studio that afternoon after you saw seulgi.

six months of torture you sold as some forbidden paradise

i loved you truly

you gotta laugh at the stupidity

“y/n, i told you i can’t go with you.” seulgi said in frustration, moving your hand from her wrist. the two of you had agreed to go out and see a movie later after your session was over. however, at the last minute your lover decided she couldn’t go with you.

her words struck you like a dagger, cutting through the illusion of the paradise you had built together. the frustration in seulgi's voice revealed a truth you had been avoiding—the limitations of your forbidden love.

a pang of hurt shot through your heart as you struggled to comprehend the sudden shift in her demeanor. "but you said you would go with me," you managed to say, your voice trembling with a mix of confusion and disappointment.

seulgi let out a weary sigh, her eyes avoiding yours. "i know, but i have to stay late tonight." her attention was focused on the stack of papers in front of her as she shuffled them.

confusion and frustration welled up inside you. "what are you talking about? you told me you had the night off.”

seulgi hesitated for a moment, her gaze still fixated on the papers. "something came up last minute, y/n. i'm sorry, but i have to handle it. it's important."

the disappointment and disbelief in your voice were evident as you replied, "so, you're just canceling our plans without even discussing it with me?"

seulgi finally looked up, her expression a mix of anger and frustration. "i didn't plan for this to happen, y/n. but sometimes life throws unexpected curveballs at us, and i have to deal with them. it doesn't mean i don't care about you, it’s just being an adult."

you may not be as experienced as her in life or in the industry, but those last words were definitely aimed at you and your age.

seulgi's words stung, hitting you right where it hurt the most. the reminder of your youth and the limitations it brought to your relationship made you feel small and insignificant. anger flared within you, fueling a fiery response.

"is that what this is about, seulgi? my age?" you exclaimed, your voice laced with frustration. "i may be younger than you, but that doesn't invalidate my feelings or the importance of our relationship. i deserve respect and consideration, just like anyone else."

seulgi's eyes rolled. “i’m not arguing with you about a stupid movie, y/n. can you just leave already? yuna is coming in and i need to run a song with her.” she snapped.

seulgi's dismissive and harsh response shocked you, leaving you speechless for a moment. the weight of her words, combined with the sudden change in her demeanor, pierced through your heart like a thousand tiny knives. it became clear that the paradise you had once believed in was nothing more than a facade, masking the reality of a toxic relationship.

a mix of hurt and anger coursed through your veins, empowering you to find your voice. "i can't believe this, seulgi," you managed to say, your voice trembling with a mix of pain and frustration. "is this how little i mean to you? am i just someone you can push aside whenever it's convenient for you?"

seulgi sighed, her frustration now tinged with impatience. "you're blowing this out of proportion, y/n. it's just one movie.”

her dismissive tone only fueled the fire within you. "it’s not just a movie. it's about respect and consideration in a relationship. i deserve someone who values my time and treats me as an equal, regardless of age or any other factor."

seulgi's eyes flashed with irritation, her patience wearing thin. "well, maybe you should find someone who can give you that," she retorted, her words dripping with a mix of sarcasm and disdain.

you stormed out of the room and went home that night infuriated. as you tossed and turned in bed, you tried to rationalize with yourself.

maybe she was tired, and had a long day. she couldn’t have meant anything she told you, right? she was probably just frustrated.

it was childish of you to make excuses for her, but you couldn’t help it. seulgi was everything to you, both in and out of your relationship.

you truly did love her, and you would do anything to keep her from leaving you. if only you knew your devotion would be tested to its very limit.

and every girl i ever talked to told me you were bad, bad news

you called them crazy, god, i hate the way i called 'em crazy too

one day, as you were leaving the studio after a particularly grueling session with seulgi, you received a message from ningning. it was a link to an article with a headline that sent chills down your spine.

former trainees speak out: allegations against producer kang seulgi

your heart raced as you clicked on the article, and as you read the testimonies from anonymous trainees who claimed to have experienced coercion, manipulation, and exploitation under seulgi's guidance, your worst fears seemed to be confirmed.

each account mirrored the warnings you had received, painting a grim picture of the person you loved dearly. the once-mysterious allure that had captivated you now revealed a darker side, a side that preyed on vulnerability and ambition.

you couldn't help but feel a mix of anger and confusion. anger at the betrayal of trust, but more confused because you couldn’t help but deny everything these testimonies were saying. a large part of you felt like these trainees were blowing things out of proportion, especially since the woman you loved didn’t sound anything like the person they were portraying.

you knew the entertainment industry was messed up, but you never would have imagined that seulgi would be a part of that statistic. but you needed to know for yourself, you needed to ask the woman you loved if any of these accusations were true.

you're so convincing

how do you lie without flinching?

the next day, seulgi arrived before you. it wasn’t that you were late, but rather that she was way earlier. as you closed the door behind you, you could tell the atmosphere was thick with tension. it was as if she already knew that you saw those articles.

“sit.”

it was a simple command, and you obeyed like a dog.

as you took a seat, a surge of resentment welled up inside you. the power dynamics that had always been present in your relationship were now magnified by the weight of the allegations. you felt a mix of anger, confusion, and a lingering sense of denial.

seulgi sat across from you, her face devoid of the usual warmth and charm that once drew you in. instead, her expression held a ghostly emotionless mask, as if she had prepared herself for this confrontation.

"y/n," she began, her voice measured but tinged with a hint of defensiveness. "i know you've read those articles, and i understand your concerns. but you have to believe me when i say that some of those allegations are exaggerated or taken out of context."

you looked at her, trying to decipher the truth behind her words. the conflicting emotions inside you made it difficult to discern what was genuine and what was a manipulation.

"i can't just ignore what i've read, seulgi," you replied, your voice laced with a mixture of frustration and pain. "how can i trust you when these trainees, who have nothing to gain, have come forward with their experiences?"

seulgi's gaze hardened, a flicker of frustration crossing her face. “so you’re really choosing those lies over me? you really believe them and not me?” she scoffed in mock disbelief.

you felt a pang of guilt at seulgi's words, as if you were betraying her by even considering the possibility that the allegations were true. but the weight of the testimonies and the doubts gnawing at your conscience were too heavy to ignore.

"i'm not saying i believe everything without question," you responded, your voice filled with a mix of sadness and determination. "but these accounts are troubling, seulgi. they can't be dismissed outright. i need to know the truth, and that means asking you directly."

seulgi's eyes flashed with a mix of anger and hurt. "you think i'm capable of all those things? you think i've been lying to you this whole time?" her voice trembled with a fragile combination of indignation and vulnerability.

your heart wavered, torn between the woman you loved and the need for transparency. you couldn’t come up with a response, but thankfully she continued speaking.

"the entertainment industry is ruthless. people will do anything to tarnish someone's reputation, especially when they feel threatened or envious."

her words rang hollow, and you couldn't help but feel a sense of disillusionment. the woman you once idolized was now justifying her actions instead of taking responsibility.

"seulgi, i can't pretend that everything is okay," you said, your voice steady but filled with sadness. "i need to take a step back and reevaluate our relationship. i need time to process all of this, to determine what's true and what's not."

seulgi's eyes widened, a mix of disbelief and feigned panic flickering across her features. "y/n, please don't do this. if you love me, you won’t do this.”

the words of protest died in your throat, and you saw water drops falling from her eyes. if only you knew they were crocodile tears.

instinctively, you reached out and hugged her. a myriad of apologies fell from your lips as you kissed her temple repeatedly. subconsciously, you kept telling yourself it was your fault that she was crying.

you should have known better. you should have been better.

oh, what a mesmerizing, paralyzing, fucked up little thrill

can't figure out just how you do it and god knows i never will

the sessions following that incident were volatile, especially as the company was giving more deadlines for your album.

"you don't understand, y/n," she snapped, her voice tinged with frustration. "you're not ready to make those decisions. you need someone like me to guide you, to shape you into something marketable."

frustrated, you took the headphones off of your head and turned to glare at her through the window of glass separating the two of you. “but i don’t want to be marketable, i want to be honest."

seulgi's face twisted with a mix of anger and disappointment, her eyes burning with a fierce intensity. "honesty won't get you far in this industry, y/n," she retorted sharply. "you have to play the game, make compromises. that's how success is achieved."

her words struck a nerve, and a surge of defiance coursed through your veins. you had always been told to follow your passion, to be true to yourself, and now seulgi's words felt like a betrayal of those principles.

"i refuse," you declared, your voice resolute. "i want to create music that resonates with people, that speaks from my heart. if that means going against the industry norms, then so be it."

seulgi's expression hardened, her facade of control slipping for a moment. "you're being naïve, y/n," she spat, her tone dripping with condescension. "you'll learn soon enough that the music industry is not a place for dreamers. it's cutthroat, and if you don't adapt, you'll be left behind."

your eyes challenged her stare, and you clenched your jaw. however, the older woman’s icy glare didn’t falter even for a moment.

“how do you know what’s going to be good for me?” you spat back.

seulgi's lips curled into a cold, mocking smile. "because i've been in this industry longer than you, y/n," she replied, her voice dripping with superiority. "i've seen countless dreams shattered and talents wasted because they refused to play by the rules. i'm just trying to save you from the same fate."

her condescending tone only fueled your determination. you had come to realize that seulgi's version of success was built on compromises and manipulation, and you refused to follow that path.

"i believe in my own vision," you stated firmly, your voice filled with newfound confidence. "i won't sacrifice my integrity and creativity for the sake of fitting into a mold. if that means taking a different path or facing more challenges, then so be it."

seulgi's eyes narrowed, her expression a mix of frustration and anger. "you're making a mistake, y/n," she warned, her voice laced with a barely contained fury. "you'll regret this decision."

without another word, you exited the booth and made your way towards the door. the weight of the tension in the room was suffocating, and you needed to escape its grasp.

as you reached for the doorknob, seulgi's voice pierced through the silence. "you think you can make it on your own? you think you don't need me?" she taunted, her voice filled with bitter disdain and mockery.

you turned to face her, your gaze unwavering. "i don't need you to succeed, seulgi," you replied, your voice steady. "i never did.”

the older woman laughed at you, chuckling as she stood up and walked over to you. she pulled you in by your waist, lips pressed against the shell of your ear. “no one will handle you the way i do. they’ll all tell you the same thing.”

your mouth went dry, and your thoughts were going wild. it was as if every time she touched you, you could feel yourself losing control over any logic and reason.

“you’re just frustrated, and that’s why you’re overreacting.” she whispered seductively, moving her hands up and down your sides.

you could feel her warm breath against your ear, sending shivers down your spine. the familiarity of her touch and the intensity of her presence made it difficult to think clearly. but amidst the confusion, a voice deep within you whispered that this was not right, that you deserved better.

if only that voice was louder, then maybe it would be convincing enough for you.

she gently lifted your shirt over your head and pulled you in for a slow, deep kiss. you didn’t put up a fight and let her kiss you. “you’ve been so stressed, sweetheart. no one else is going to help you de-stress like i do.” seulgi husked against your lips as one of her hands moved to unbutton your shorts.

“i care about you, i love you, they won’t do this for you. only i know what’s best for you, baby.”

your mind was foggy, the familiar words and touches were seducing you further, and you were doing anything but resisting.

you didn’t know how she did it, she always managed to pull you back into her trap. it was a vicious cycle, but you would never leave. her words were only somewhat convincing at times.

but seulgi’s actions were definitely better at convincing you to stay, especially when she was fingering you on the desk of the recording studio and making you apologize for even considering leaving her.

went for me and not her

'cause girls your age know better

“unnie why don’t you work with the aespa members?” you asked one day, tilting your head to the side as you looked up at her.

seulgi’s gaze flickered from your eyes to your lips before a small scoff escaped from her. “they’re not receptive to new creativity. i don’t think they’d understand the vision i see for them.”

you hummed for a moment, thinking about what she had said. the only reason you had asked her this, was because you had told ning about what happened at your last session.

ningning had told you to ask the older woman why she wasn’t working with her group. she didn’t tell you why she wanted you to ask, but she did mention something about you “seeing for yourself” the truth.

“are you close with the aespa girls?” the older woman casually asked. her eyes remained on the monitor in front of her. your answer was a small shake of the head.

“not really, i’m only close with one of them.”

your response made her breath hitch, and you could tell it caught her a little off guard. slowly, she bit the inside of her cheek and glanced at you. “yeah? who?”

a mix of curiosity and caution danced in seulgi's eyes as she awaited your response. you could sense that something was amiss, that there was a hidden meaning behind your friend’s request and seulgi's sudden interest in your connection with the aespa members.

you hesitated for a moment, uncertain of the implications of your words. but as you glanced at seulgi's guarded expression, you realized that it was time to uncover the truth.

"ningning," you replied, your voice steady but tinged with a hint of suspicion. "she's the one i'm closest to."

seulgi's eyes widened imperceptibly, and a flicker of unease crossed her features. she quickly composed herself and shrugged casually, attempting to maintain her composure. "oh, i see. that's interesting."

the atmosphere in the room became tense, and you knew there was more to this story. you couldn't help but wonder why seulgi seemed bothered by your connection with ningning and the aespa members.

"did ningning tell you to ask me that?" she asked, voice laced with curiosity and a touch of suspicion as her gaze hardened.

you could feel the weight of seulgi's piercing stare, her eyes boring into yours, searching for any signs of deception. it was clear that she suspected ningning's involvement in this conversation.

caught off guard by the direct question, you hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. but you knew that honesty was the only path forward.

"yes, she did," you admitted, your voice unwavering. "she wanted me to ask you about why you're not working with aespa.”

seulgi's expression tightened, a mixture of frustration and apprehension flickering across her face. she seemed torn between her desire to keep whatever secret she held and her growing unease at your knowledge.

"why did she tell you to ask me that?" seulgi inquired, her voice carrying a hint of caution.

you took a deep breath, your mind racing with the possibilities. you couldn't shake the feeling that something significant lay beneath the surface, waiting to be exposed.

all you did was shrug, watching as the older woman shifted in her chair uncomfortably. “don’t worry about it. it’s not important.” she said sternly, motioning with her hand for you to get up and go inside the booth to record.

you hesitated for just a split second, mouth opening to protest and want to ask further about the issue. but your actions were met with a pair of midnight eyes glaring at you. “get up, y/n. now.”

like a dog, you obeyed once again. you didn’t ask seulgi anything else after that.

you said it was true love, but wouldn't that be hard?

you can't love anyone 'cause that would mean you had a heart

you would always cry after your sessions with the former idol. turmoil was evident inside you, and you couldn't understand why seulgi was saying she did everything because she loved you. if she loved you, why did she always make you cry?

was love supposed to hurt like this?

the tears streamed down your cheeks as you pondered the painful question. the weight of confusion and emotional turmoil had become too much to bear. seulgi's words of love felt like a cruel paradox, leaving you trapped in a cycle of heartache.

you couldn't fathom how love could cause such pain and confusion. it was borderline unbelievable that the soft spoken former idol was capable of such heinous things.

was this really what love was supposed to be?

if seulgi really loved you, were you supposed to feel this small? she always made you sound so little and insignificant. perhaps it was because of the differences in your ages.

the significant age difference between you and the older woman added another layer of complexity to the situation. you couldn't help but question whether her actions were driven by a power dynamic or a desire for control. it seemed as though she used her experience and influence to manipulate and belittle you, leaving you feeling diminished and inadequate.

love was supposed to be nurturing and uplifting, a source of strength and support. but in this case, it felt like a destructive force that eroded your self-esteem and happiness. you wondered if this was truly what love was meant to be, or if you were caught in a toxic relationship disguised as affection.

deep down, you knew that love shouldn't hurt like this. it should bring joy, understanding, and mutual growth. the pain you experienced with seulgi went against everything you believed love should be, making you question whether it was worth holding onto such a tumultuous connection.

but you knew you couldn’t leave her. you loved her, even if she didn’t truly love you.

i tried to help you out, now i know that i can't

'cause how you think's the kind of thing i'll never understand

“baby?” you whispered softly, slowly taking your headphones off of your head as you watched the older woman cutting and snipping parts of your song on the screen.

seulgi only ignored you, focusing on the work in front of her. you fidgeted with your fingers, debating on whether or not to call her once more.

as you hesitated, a sense of vulnerability washed over you. you had tried countless times to communicate your feelings to her, hoping she would understand the pain she was causing you.

yet, each attempt seemed to fall on deaf ears, leaving you feeling unheard and invisible.

the realization dawned on you that the love you held for seulgi might be a one-sided affair. it seemed as though she was more invested in her own ambitions and desires than in nurturing a healthy and compassionate relationship with you.

the discrepancy between her words of love and her actions left you feeling confused and isolated.

taking a deep breath, you mustered the courage to speak up once again. "baby, can we talk?" you asked, your voice trembling slightly. the silence in the room seemed to stretch endlessly before she finally glanced your way, her expression a mix of impatience and indifference.

"can't you see i'm busy?" she snapped, her tone dismissive. the sting of her words pierced your heart, further reinforcing the emotional turmoil you were enduring.

you realized that you had reached a breaking point. you couldn't continue in this cycle of pain and neglect, where your feelings were consistently disregarded.

“seulgi.”

the sternness of your tone caught the former idol off guard a little. you hadn’t talked back to her in a long time. it was something she forgot you were capable of doing.

her dark eyes flickered towards you for a moment, looking at you with a raised eyebrow.

a calculating smile played on seulgi's lips as she observed your newfound assertiveness. she was well aware of her ability to manipulate and control, and your display of defiance intrigued her. with a subtle shift in her demeanor, she decided to play along, seizing the opportunity to maintain her grip on the relationship.

"what's the matter, darling?" she asked, her voice dripping with feigned concern. "you seem upset. did something happen?"

your heart sank at the coldness in her tone, but you refused to back down. "i've been feeling neglected, seulgi," you replied, trying to keep your voice steady. "it's like you don't prioritize our relationship. i thought we were supposed to support each other, but it feels like i'm not even a priority for you."

she tilted her head, a glimmer of amusement dancing in her eyes. "oh, sweetheart, you know i care about you," she said, her voice honeyed with insincerity. "but sometimes sacrifices must be made for greatness. it's not easy juggling a successful career and a relationship, you know?"

you felt a surge of frustration at her dismissive response. it was clear she was manipulating the situation, deflecting responsibility and minimizing your concerns. but you were determined not to let her control the narrative.

"of course i know that," you countered, your voice steady despite the emotional turmoil within. "but a relationship should be a partnership, where both parties prioritize and support each other. it can't be one-sided."

seulgi's smile tightened, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "are you suggesting that i'm the one neglecting you?" she asked, her tone laced with a calculated mix of innocence and accusation. "i've given you so much, sacrificed so many opportunities for us. yet here you are, questioning my dedication."

her words hit you like a blow, causing doubt to creep into your mind. was it possible that you were overreacting? could you be misinterpreting her actions?

but deep down, you knew the truth. you had been longing for a love that was nurturing and supportive, not one where your feelings were constantly disregarded. you couldn't let her manipulation sway you any longer.

summoning your inner strength, you met her gaze head-on. "seulgi, i deserve a love that is genuine and reciprocal," you asserted, your voice steady. "if you can't provide that, then maybe we need to reconsider our relationship."

for a brief moment, a flicker of surprise crossed seulgi's face, her mask of control slipping ever so slightly. but just as quickly, it was replaced by a steely resolve.

"fine," she replied, her voice dripping with icy determination. "if that's what you want, then go ahead. but remember, darling, you'll never find someone who loves you as i do."

i've made some real big mistakes

but you make the worst one look fine

you should have known seulgi was right. everywhere you went to look for other producers or other companies had shut you down. one of them even told you in an email that you were apparently blacklisted from their entertainment district.

tears fell from your eyes as you held your head in your hands. it was so frustrating. seulgi had so much power and influence over your career, making you stuck.

it was obvious that she was manipulating the company to block your contract from leaving sm. you couldn't believe the extent of seulgi's manipulation. she had not only controlled your emotions and disregarded your feelings but now she was actively sabotaging your career prospects.

the realization hit you like a tidal wave, leaving you feeling trapped and helpless.

as the tears continued to flow, you couldn't shake off the despair that enveloped you. seulgi's actions had effectively isolated you from any opportunity for growth and success outside of her influence.

it seemed as though she had built an impenetrable fortress around you, ensuring that you remained under her control.

you showed up to the studio one day with puffy eyes and a broken spirit. you knew you couldn’t fight back any longer. after wiping your sleeve, you entered the room.

the older woman turned in her chair and grinned like a madman, the same way she did when she had kissed you for the first time.

seulgi's grin sent a shiver down your spine. it was a sinister expression, devoid of any genuine affection or care. in that moment, you realized just how deeply she had manipulated you and how trapped you truly were.

with a mocking tone, seulgi spoke, her voice laced with a mix of amusement and malice. "my dear, it seems you've finally realized the extent of your helplessness," she sneered. "you thought you could defy me, challenge my control over you. but i've always been one step ahead."

your heart sank further, the weight of her words crushing your spirit. the once vibrant and passionate artist within you felt extinguished, replaced by a shadow of your former self.

seulgi continued, relishing in her power over you. "you see, my darling, i hold all the cards in this game," she taunted. "i've woven a web of influence and manipulation, ensuring that you remain trapped within my grasp. no one will sign you, no one will work with you. you are mine, and there's nothing you can do about it."

desperation washed over you as you realized the truth of her words. the doors that were once open to your dreams had been slammed shut by seulgi's cunning maneuvers. it felt as though your entire world had crumbled, leaving you stranded in a sea of hopelessness.

the older woman only grinned wider at the sight of your sudden tear-filled realization. seulgi chuckled softly, standing up and putting her palm on your cheek.

"oh, darling," she cooed, her voice dripping with condescension. "you really think anyone else would want you? i've built your career from the ground up. without me, you're nothing."

and she was right. you were nothing without her, both in and out of the industry.

i should've known it was strange

you only come out at night

the midnight moon shone into your apartment. shadows danced as you slowly made your way to the door, eyes puffy and red from all the crying you had done earlier.

through the peephole, you saw a familiar silhouette with an all too familiar pair of eyes.

with a deep sigh, you opened it to see your secret lover standing there. a smug grin was on seulgi’s face, obsidian eyes meeting yours in the dark. “aw you look miserable, sweetheart.” she chuckled in feigned innocence. from behind her back, she pulled out a bouquet of flowers.

i used to think i was smart

but you made me look so naive

your heart wavered as you looked at the flowers, a mixture of confusion and trepidation filling your mind. it was difficult to resist the familiarity and comfort that seulgi offered, despite the toxic nature of your relationship.

part of you longed for her affection and validation, while another part recoiled at the thought of continuing to be manipulated by her.

seulgi stepped closer, her eyes locked onto yours, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "i know it's been tough, my dear," she said, her tone laced with calculated empathy. "but i brought you these flowers to remind you of the love and support i've given you throughout your career. no one else can understand you the way i do."

her words were like a seductive whisper, tempting you to fall back into her web of control. but deep down, you knew that accepting her gift meant surrendering your autonomy and happiness once again.

summoning your courage, you took a step back, creating a distance between you and seulgi. the bouquet of flowers felt heavy in your hand as you struggled to find the right words. "look, i appreciate the gesture, but this doesn't change the fact that you've manipulated and controlled me for far too long," you said, your voice firm, yet tinged with a bit of hesitation.

it was obvious that you were still terrified of defying her, even now.

seulgi's smile wavered for a split second, her eyes narrowing in subtle frustration. but just as quickly, she regained her composure, her expression shifting to one of feigned concern.

"oh, my dear, you're mistaken," she replied, her voice coated in faux sincerity. "i've only ever wanted what's best for you. everything i've done, every decision i've made, has been to protect you and your career. can't you see that?"

you could feel the tug of her words, the familiar manipulation seeping into your thoughts. but you refused to be swayed this time. you had glimpsed the darkness beneath seulgi's facade, and you knew that staying with her would only lead to further pain and self-destruction.

“you keep gaslighting me, seulgi.” you replied, sniffling a little as you wiped your nose with your sleeve and shook your head.

the older woman took a step forward, scoffing slightly as she placed the flowers on your counter and shut the door behind her. her hands wrapped around your waist, pulling you tightly against her front.

“you don’t even know what gaslighting is, sweetheart.”

you tensed up in her grip, the contradiction of her words and actions not lost on you. the way she dismissed your concerns and belittled your understanding only further highlighted her manipulative nature.

it was a twisted dance, one where she sought to maintain control by distorting your perception of reality.

“you know i love you,” she whispered as she trailed a hand up your back while the other remained on your waist. “i could never do that to you. my special girl,” her lips brushed against yours delicately.

“no,” you whimpered and tried to move away from her. but it was no use, mentally and physically, you were drawn into her. it didn’t matter what she did, she would always have you.

you were hers. forever.

the way you sold me for parts

as you sunk your teeth into me, oh

that night was full of more false promises and silver tongued lies. every touch and kiss was just a carefully crafted plan for your lover to hold you tighter in her grasp.

as you woke, the cold from the sheets made you realize immediately that seulgi did not stay the night with you after you two had been intimate. rubbing the sleep from your eyes, you winced at the soreness on your neck. courtesy of seulgi herself, of course.

you reached over to see if maybe she had texted you after she left, but the only notification you saw was from ningning 2 hours ago.

SM ENTERTAINMENT’S YUNA SET TO HAVE HER OWN SOLO ALBUM DROPPING THIS WEEKEND.

anger and confusion filled your heart, but as you scrolled through the article, you couldn’t help but begin to cry like you never had before.

seulgi had used your songs for yuna’s own album.

tears streamed down your face, mixing with the anguish and betrayal that coursed through your veins. the realization hit you like a punch to the gut, leaving you breathless and shattered.

seulgi had taken the songs you worked together on, and handed them over to another artist. it was a blatant act of betrayal, a stark reminder of how little you truly meant to her.

the pain of seeing your art being used to elevate someone else while you remained confined and controlled under seulgi's thumb was unbearable.

it was a bitter pill to swallow, further proof that you were nothing more than a pawn in her game.

but you should have known better. vampires like her only drained their victims of every drop of creativity and talent, leaving them hollow and discarded.

seulgi had seen your potential and talent as a means to further her own agenda, to solidify her power and maintain control. it was all a lie, a facade and calculated moves of deception.

she never loved you. not even for a moment.

bloodsucker, fame fucker

bleedin' me dry like a goddamn vampire

𝗮/𝗻: 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗶 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗱𝗮𝘆-

#seulgi red velvet #kang seulgi #seulgi x reader #kpop fic #toxic kpop fic #angst #red velvet x reader #pls talk to someone if you are in a situation like this #red velvet oneshot #seulgi oneshot #vampire #perfectsunlight

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yuurei20 · 5 months

Note

Do you have a master list of the translated novel chapters so far? Or someplace to read all of them at once? If not, thanks anyways!

Hello hello! A compilation thread of translations from the first novel can be found here! It is not a complete translation of the entire novel, just a few blurbs that I found interesting for being different from the game, if that is okay :>

I hadn't put together a compilation of second-novel translations because it is still ongoing, but I can list them now!

(Disclaimer: I am very, very much not a writer, I promise that the actual book is much more well written than this, and I encourage everyone to read the official translation when it is released! The first novel is coming in August, 2024, from Viz Media!)

Introduction "In a corner of the prestigious magic school, Night Raven College, there stands an old, unused dormitory."

Yuuya and the Rumors “'What's the matter? You look a bit down,’ says the ghost."

The Classroom “'There's no way that Ramshackle can compete on the same level as our dorm—that’s a crowning moment. Us, being mocked like that? We wouldn’t stand for it.’"

Bakery Day "Yuuya hands over the money he had promised to Ace and Deuce, then lines up for his usual lunch set, alone."

Ruggie in the Cafeteria (pt1) "Yuuya looks over his shoulder to the sight of a skinny boy standing behind him."

Ruggie in the Cafeteria (pt2) "Thinking about it, Yuuya realizes that he can’t recall seeing Japanese food or sweets since coming here."

Ruggie in the Cafeteria (pt3) "Each dorm at Night Raven College has its own distinguishing characteristics."

Ruggie in the Cafeteria (pt4) "‘You mean they have good teamwork?’ Yuuya recalls an earlier conversation with Ace."

The Botanical Garden Scene "Ruggie and Leona are both from Sunset Savanna, with Ruggie coming from a humble upbringing in the slums as a hyaena beastperson, who are generally regarded with contempt."

Riddle and the consequences of overblot "When Riddle enters the Mirror Chamber, the other dorm leaders cast open and obvious glances his way. It has been like this ever since that day."

Leona and the Housewarden Meeting "‘Remember. What was it like two years ago? Last year? How did it feel to be used as a stepping stone to showcase the power of Lord Malleus Draconia?"

Riddle on Leona: The Housewarden Meeting "'I don’t really mind putting him in the Hall of Fame,’ says the Ignihyde Housewarden in an unenthusiastic tone over his speaker."

Yuuya and Grim's Club Yuuya and Grim were told by the headmage that they would both have to choose the same club.

Meeting Pomefiore (pt1) "Having reached the Hall of Mirrors, Yuuya faces the mirror that, according to Deuce, will lead him to Pomefiore. It is splendid, adorned with a large peacock and framed in its feathers."

Meeting Pomefiore (pt2) "‘You came to see the student of ours who was hurt, did you not? Here he is.’ With a gesture from Rook, a second-year student steps forward."

For reference: Night Raven College Dorm Roommate Situations

The accidents befalling Spelldrive players "‘Yuu will come with me.’ ‘Eh? 'Yuu will come with me?’’ Yuuya echoes Riddle’s words back at him with a puzzled look."

Meeting Jade and Floyd (pt1) "'Jade Leech and Floyd Leech, twin second-year students. Jade is vice-housewarden of Octavinelle—he is also in my class.'"

Meeting Jade and Floyd (pt2) "‘Ah!’ A loud call echoes out over the grounds. 'Over there—isn’t that Lil' Goldfish?’"

Meeting Jade and Floyd (pt3) "‘Ah, nice to meet you. I’m…’ ‘Yuu-san, I believe. I have heard of you. It is an honor to meet the new student of the rumors.’"

Meeting Jade and Floyd (pt4) "Yuuya finally understands why Riddle looked so displeased when they first arrived."

Meeting Silver and Lilia (pt1) "Silver is often doing physical training, even on days when he has no club activities."

Meeting Silver and Lilia (pt2) "Silver accepts the towel with a casual ‘thank you,’ and wipes the sweat from his forehead. The birds chirp back, as though in response."

Meeting Silver and Lilia (pt3) "Lilia is as cheerful as he is lively. His sweeping gestures are so mismatched with his small stature that Yuuya cannot help but smile."

Riddle on Malleus "‘Someday, I'd like to ask Malleus-senpai what he thinks makes a good Housewarden.’"

Pre-Practice Match (pt1) “Perhaps it is because they are all so focused, but no one seems to have noticed them yet."

Pre-Practice Match (pt2) "The students who surround Yuuya's group are a mix of beast-people and others, each with impressive physiques and vibrant yellow shirts—the dorm color—stretched tight over their muscles."

Pre-Practice Match (pt3) "Only Ruggie makes a chuckle of sound, jogging to Leona’s side."

Pre-Practice Match (pt4) "Yuuya gives Cater a hopeful glance, but Cater’s expression is surprisingly stern."

Pre-Practice Match (pt5) "‘Shi-shi-shi!’ Ruggie laughs like air is escaping from him—a unique sound."

Spelldrive Practice Match (pt1) "Deuce is about to respond when suddenly both he and Ace are enveloped in light, their school uniforms transforming into their gym clothes."

Spelldrive Practice Match (pt2) "Colliding with another player Deuce tumbles onto the ground, but quickly regains his feet. Yuuya breathes a sigh of relief."

Spelldrive Practice Match (pt3) "'This has got to be a joke. You mocking me?’ Leona asks, lifting one hand and forming it into a fist."

Spelldrive Practice Match (pt4) "As Cater says, the unity of the Savanaclaw students—led by Leona—is overwhelming."

Spelldrive Practice Match (pt5) "Spelldrive is a timed sport, and a considerable amount of time still remains."

Leona and Jack (pt1) "It was three years ago, when Jack was still in middle school."

Leona and Jack (pt2) "‘The important thing isn’t how hard you try. It’s the result. Results are everything.’"

Leona and Jack (pt3) "Filled with frustration and sorrow, Jack clenches his hands into fists and leaves to return to the dorm, in silence."

Meeting Malleus (pt1) "‘Who's there?’ ‘Ah—' Suddenly, a voice from the darkness."

Meeting Malleus (pt2) "Yuuya quickly drops his eyes. Regardless of what those horns might be, it must be uncomfortable for one to have their physical attributes stared at in such a manner. Perhaps he has been rude."

Naming Malleus (pt1) "‘—and I guess it’s because I was so surprised, but I didn’t get any sleep at all last night.’"

Naming Malleus (pt2) "'The only reason you can say that is because you’ve never met Hornton.’"

Meeting Jamil and Kalim (pt1) "‘Why Jamil, Kalim. I did not expect to see you in the cafeteria.’"

Meeting Jamil and Kalim (pt2) "‘Information gets around quickly.’ ‘We just so happened to hear about it. May we bother you for the details?’ In response to Riddle’s inquiry, Jamil narrows his eyes."

Meeting Jamil and Kalim (pt3) "Jamil waits in silence for the conversation to pause, and then continues once more."

Riddle and Unique Magics "‘It's not something that just anyone can do. But the foundation for unique magic often lies in common, basic spells. A mage takes those spells and combines or improves upon them as needed.'"

Jack and Yuuya "First-year student, Jack, has been selected to play for Savanaclaw."

Meeting Azul (pt1) “'Oh my, is that Jack Howl of Savanaclaw?’"

Meeting Azul (pt2) "‘My name is Azul Ashengrotto, and I am honored to be the housewarden of Octavinelle. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.’"

Leona Collared "Leona fights to remove the collar by force, his hair whipping about his face in his violent struggle."

Facing down an overblotting Leona, Riddle has a confession to make "Riddle confronts the glowering Leona with determination. ‘I am not mocking you. Leona-senpai. I respected you.’"

Leona and Lilia "Riddle is already looking ahead. He has his regrets and his turmoil, but he still continues on the path of becoming a good housewarden."

Leona's Unique Magic (pt1) "From somewhere comes a low voice. At first Yuuya cannot tell who it is, but looking around him he notices Ruggie, his eyes dark and shimmering."

Leona's Unique Magic (pt2) "Yuuya looks up at the sky in a daze, and then feels something tickle at his ankle. Gently moving sand is pricking at his skin."

Leona and Ruggie, to overblot (pt1) "‘Leona-san, what are you thinking!?’ Ruggie steps in front of Leona. ‘Why would you use your unique magic like this…if you keep going—‘ ‘Why?’ Leona interrupts. 'Obviously, it’s to shut you all up.’"

Leona and Ruggie, to overblot (pt2) "‘Right, Ruggie? I really can't stand people who don't listen. I thought you would've figured that out by now. You're skilled at reading people's moods and selling them flattery, after all.’"

The Transformation "‘It is you who should be silent!’ Lilia shouts."

Cater and Yuuya "'Ruggie is lying nearby. Yuuya wraps one of Ruggie’s arms around his shoulders and Grim attempts to take a share of Ruggie’s weight by grabbing onto his thin waist, but the limp body weighs them down."

Ruggie Wakes Up "Jack's agile wolf body slides across the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust and dirtying his fur. Leona gives him a cold, piercing glance."

The Overblot Battle "Columns of sand rise up and advance towards Ruggie and the others, engulfing everything in their path."

Leona and Falena "From the moment I was born, there’s been a boulder on top of me that’s too heavy to move."

Post-Overblot Leona (the flashback monologue) "I grew tired of thinking, so I decided to enroll at Night Raven College, though I had no interest in it. I knew I was just running away from the pain, but my heart felt lighter, nonetheless."

Jack and Leona (pt4) "‘All this messing around. We don’t have time for this!’ Released from Ruggie’s unique magic, Leona rubs against his reddened cheeks and raises his eyes."

Trusting Riddle "In the very front row, Riddle puts a hand to his mouth as he shouts, ‘What are you getting despondent over? Defeat Leona-senpai, beat the crap out of him!’ The normally refined Riddle swings his fist around."

The Exhibition Match (pt1) "The disc passes to Deuce as he races down the side of the field. Deuce is not as skilled as Ace, but he has stamina, and he is fast on his feet. He effortlessly overtakes the grouped players of Yuuya and the others, steadily advancing towards the goal."

The Exhibition Match (pt2) "With a glance for the ghosts who come for him, Leona sharply calls out, ‘Jack!’"

The Exhibition Match (pt3) "Ruggie and Jack rush to Leona, who has fallen to his knees, his hands flat on the ground."

Cheka (pt1) "‘Unca, I finally found you!’ Something bounces like a ball into the infirmary."

Cheka (pt2) "Cheka looks to Jack with his large, round eyes, only to turn abruptly about and go to hug Leona again."

Cheka (pt3) "'Perhaps realizing that he is being laughed at, Cheka looks around the room with a curious look."

(While these translations are still ongoing, a summary/comparison of the the second novel and the game has completed! Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8)

#twstnovel #twstnovel2 #twisted wonderland

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calabria-mediterranea · 2 months

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Sirens of Greek Myth Were Bird-Women, Not Mermaids

Bottle-askos in the shape of a siren (2nd half 6th century BC) from Locri / Southern Italy's Calabria. National Museum of Magna Graecia (Reggio Calabria, Italy).

In the wine-dark expanse of the Mediterranean Sea, far from the halls of civilization, there was once a small island—or so Homer, the famed poet of Ancient Greece, wrote in his epic The Odyssey. No buildings occupied its flowery meadows; no fisherman worked its shores. Those who passed in their black ships heard only voices, twining over the windless waves, singing a song that promised knowledge of all things. Once they heard it, they were enchanted; they had no choice but to land and seek out the singers. Those who did never left the island; their bodies remained, rotting amid the flowers, for none who heard the Sirens' song could escape it.

The story of the Sirens has inspired writers, poets, and artists for millennia. But somewhere along the way their form was confused. Today, Sirens are almost always represented as voluptuous mermaids, whose beauty and sexuality lure men to their deaths. But the Classical Greeks understood the Sirens differently: as bird-women, creatures that Mediterranean cultures traditionally associated with hidden knowledge.

Sirens first appear in the literary record with the Odyssey (written around 750 BCE) in a segment that’s much briefer than you’d think considering the cultural impact of these mystical, singing creatures. It goes like this: Odysseus, warned by the enchantress Circe of the danger posed by the Sirens’ song, orders his crew to stuff their ears with wax. But, curious to a fault, he has himself bound to the ship’s mast so he can listen without flinging himself into the sea. The Sirens promise him tales of all that had occurred during the war at Troy, and everywhere else besides; enchanted, he begs his crew to release him. He rants, raves, and threatens, but to no avail. His crew sails on until the song fades in the distance, and so saves his life.

Homer doesn’t describe the Sirens’ physical appearance in his epic poem, Wilson says. But in ceramic paintings and tomb sculptures from the time of writing, and centuries after, Sirens were usually depicted with taloned feet, feathered wings, and a beautiful human face. The bird-body of the Siren is significant to Wilson: In the eyes of traditional peoples all across Europe, birds were often graced with an otherworldliness associated with gods, spirits, and omens.

They inhabit the water, the air, and the earth. They’re also associated with song; they have voices that are not human voices, and kinds of movement that are not the same as human kinds of movement.

The Sirens’ role in tomb art is particularly telling. In ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures—as far back as 7,000 years ago—birds were often depicted carrying spirits to the underworld. In Southern Italy's Calabria, archaeologists unearthed several Greek askos (unguentary vessel) in shape of sirens, most commonly found in tombs.

Bronze askos in the shape of a siren (5th century BC) from Crotone, Calabria, Italy - Archaeological Museum of Crotone.

Jump ahead a few millennia to 1,550 BCE, by which time Ba-birds, depictions of departing souls as human-faced birds, began appearing in Egypt. That connection between birds and dead souls seems to have then hopped over to Greece: Writing in the 5th century BCE, the playwright Euripides described the Sirens as at the beck and call of Persephone, one of the rulers of the underworld, while other writers identified the Sirens as rivals and dark echoes of the Muses, those goddesses of creativity.

These are the Sirens the Ancient Greeks would have recognized: bird creatures of the underworld, bridging the human world and what lies beyond. The Sirens—and their fateful songs—then offered a glimpse behind the veil, a chance to hear how earthly glories would echo in eternity. The question of what song the Sirens sing, what is this forbidden knowledge, what's wrong with it, what's the temptation—the text leaves a lot of open space there. Therein lies the seduction.

Yet today, mermaids or beautiful sea nymphs replace the dark, winged Sirens of ancient times.

It is during the Middle Ages that the image of the siren began its shift from bird-woman to mermaid . With the transformation of the siren's image, the attributes associated with female monsters shifted. This suggests a change in the traits that were considered monstrous in women. The siren's movement from a frightening bird-woman to a beautiful mermaid represents female beauty becoming monstrous. Throughout the Middle Ages sirens increasingly represented a male fear of female seduction, suggesting a growing fear of female sexuality.

For medieval Christians, sirens were heavily associated with female sin.

However it happened, the identification of Sirens with mermaids seems to have affected later translations of the Odyssey, and ultimately common knowledge of Sirens. Translators in the 19th and 20th centuries cast the Sirens in a sexualized light. In one prose translation, the Sirens speak of “the sweet voice from our lips,” despite the word στομάτων directly translating to the less sensual “mouths.” Another adds flowery descriptors of “each purling note/like honey twining/from our lips.” But unlike the Odyssey’s other island temptresses, Circe and Calypso, the Sirens get no admiring description of their faces or hair. Only their voice is described, and their field of bones and flowers.

That’s a pretty strong indicator that the Sirens are not meant to be read as offering a sexual temptation. You can kiss lips; mouths devour.

Folklore and mythology move on, given enough time. Today, the Siren is just another word for mermaid, and is likely to remain so. But there’s something richly thematic about the Sirens of Classical Greece that deserves to be remembered: in-between creatures on a lonely island, floating between the boundaries of life and death, and offering an irresistible song of both. Water-temptresses are a dime a dozen; the Sirens offer wisdom.

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echotunes · 9 months

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Do you like writing? Are you an MCYT fan? Do you sometimes struggle with getting that one character's dialogue to sound just right?

Well, I have a solution:

Echo's MCYT writing cheat sheet doc!

Featuring notes on 80+ CCs ranging from Hermitcraft, Empires SMP, and the Life Series to QSMP, this Google doc has now been in the works for nearly two years (since November 2021!), currently comprises 18k+ words, and still receives tweaks and updates pretty much every day.

Contents of each CC's section on the doc (which are in alphabetical order!) include:

Commonly used words/phrases - adjectives and adverbs! Exclamations! Filler phrases and words! and other turns of phrase that make their speech distinct from others

Sentence structure - including transcriptions of example sentences that help get an idea of how exactly someone tends to say (and stumble over) their words!

Interaction with others - do they use nicknames? Which ones? What little phrases do they tend to say in conversation?

Typing - how do they type in Minecraft chat? What emoticons do they use? Do they send one long message, or several short ones? Should it be all lowercase? Do they use apostrophes? and more, with example screenshots!

In-game movement - how do they move their cubito? Do they shuffle around on the spot while talking, or stand still to look someone in the face? How expressive are they? Do they shift for emphasis, or nod? etc!

and other random characterisation notes - any fun facts about their character that you might want to keep in mind while writing!

There's also some bonus content outside of the specific character sections - links to general writing resources, recaps and summaries and quotes from the series the CCs on the doc have been involved in, as well as notes, conversation transcripts and clips I've compiled for some specific character dynamics!

(Important disclaimer: This isn't a 100% comprehensive guide - I'm just one person, and this is entirely comprised of notes I take while watching, so it's never going to be perfect or fully accurate. It also varies a lot on its level of detail for each CC, because I watch some people more than others, and in the case of QSMP there's language barriers involved, too.)

But I do think it can be pretty helpful. So if you're struggling, maybe consider giving this doc a try - you might find something useful inside! <3

#there we go. it's getting its own post. into the wild. enjoy!#mcyt #hermitcraft #empires smp #life series #qsmp #fic #echo.txt #character voices cheat doc #echo hall of fame

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zelphin124 · 2 months

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Idol Error meets Idol Fresh (Short Story)

Finally, the long awaited prize for @zucchiyeni, I am sooooo sorry it took so long to get to..

These short stories were the prizes of the honorable mentions in the SeasonTale Creative Challenge.

Whew, now, onto the story!

~o0o~

"That's like, totally unrad bro."

Error glanced down at his watch again. 5 minutes... they were five minutes over the meeting time they were supposed to speak with him, and it ticked him off.

Error was one of the most famous independent singers in the entire multiverse. He had rewards for his skills in rapping and voice tuning. Despite his inefficiency with technology, he produced some of the most captivating videos and VR experiences known to mankind. It was said he only had one producer, but to this day, no one could figure out who it was.

And the contractors wanted to hire him.

He told himself it was stupid. He knew that they would take his rights to his music if he agreed to their deal... yet the price tag wasn't something he couldn't refuse.

His producer seriously needed a raise.

"Dude, you can't fire me! I won't be the vibe anymore! The town's countin on me radical skills!"

Error rubbed his head, hearing the younger guy talk in the room with the contractor. All he could think about was how annoying his voice sounded. The way he talked, and the way he yelled... It was ticking him off even more.

He decided he wasn't going to wait any longer. He stood up, banging on the door to the office. "HuRrY Up," he hissed. "I d0n't g0T a11 d@y t0 wa1t f0r y0u."

The conversation stopped, and rapid footsteps were heard before the employer, wearing a bright smile, opened the door. "Error!" He smiled with glee. "So happy to have you here, just give me maybe 5 more minutes as I deal with this hobo mkay?"

"1 d0n't h@vE m0r3 t1m3," Error glitched, adjusting his outfit. "T1m3 1s m0n3y."

"But of course," the small skeleton shuddered. "Right, Fresh, I'm going to need you to leave. Unfortunately, we will not be renewing your contract and that's final."

"But lad," Fresh, a tall-appearing skeleton begged. "Tis is ma only source of income! I can't produce any more music unless you chill and let me have the rights to my own voice yo!"

Error grimaced in disgust at his rainbow outfit. He was a walking kid's toy, with trinkets on his outfit that made no sense and the style skill of a two-year-old. However, he didn't like the look of the contractor's outfit either... it was all black with a white undershirt. Very boring, in his opinion.

"I'm sorry, but there's nothing I could do."

"Wh@t d0 y0u m3an, yoU dOn'T hav3 th3 r1ghts t0 yoUr OwN v01c3?" Error gestured to the hobo, considering what he said earlier.

"Totally unfair, brah!" Fresh explained. "In the contract, they steal the rights to your voice, music, everything! They only pay a pretty penny until your rates drop because of their unrad standards!"

"Wait, no, that's not entirely true-" The contractor had a pleading look in his eyes, glancing at Error and grabbing the scruff of his sleeve.

Error immediately shot his hand out of his reach, looking at him in disgust. "N@h, that's BS r1GhT th3rE. I'1l c0nt1nuE t0 b3 ind3penDenT."

"But-" The contractor flattened his face with a defeated look. He glared at Fresh as Error walked out, but not out of earshot. "You just ruined our chance to make a big buck, prepared for your entire career to be ruined."

The scrape of a chair echoed through the hall. "Too bad you already did lad."

Error rubbed his head, unable to comprehend what had just happened. He really needed the extra cash, but with the terms he overheard and the reviews from other artists stuck in contracts with the company, he saw no benefit. Even the Star Sanses were stuck with them for six more years, unable to produce their own stuff. It made Error wonder if the instant fame was worth it for them.

Not like he experienced that desire. He had posted his music one day and it caught fire quickly, each of his videos going viral the moment it released.

Yet, nothing paid him enough to give his producer the raise she needed. Most of the money he made himself went back into his production and to pay his own bills.

"Yo broski, wait up!"

Error cringed, clenching his fists together as the footsteps behind him got louder. As if this hobo couldn't get any more annoying...

"Sorry about the lazy impression back there bud, I tots wasn't having the best convo of all time. But I know your music and I must say you're pretty rad and wanted to ask if you wanted to collab sometime." Fresh rambled, before stopping and taking a few big breaths.

Error glanced Fresh up and down... well, more up than anything. He raised an eyebrow and continued walking. I don't have time for this...

"C'mon broski!" Fresh bounded after him. "I won't let you down and I can add some sick beats to your vocals!"

"1 h@v3n't h3arD yOuR mus1c beFor3." Error glitched, adjusting his clothes once more. "YoU juSt g0t f1r3d, wHy shOulD 1?"

"Look look look," Fresh immediately pulled out his phone to search for examples of his music. Even Error was surprised at the rate he pulled it up while keeping up with his pace.

The song played fancy and radical tunes, ones that Error had never heard before. There were some parts he liked, but the main melody of most of them sucked in his opinion. Error then explained to Fresh the few parts he liked while everything else was trash.

Fresh did not seem disheartened in any way. "Thanks for the feedback broski, I will take it into account! I could lend you the sounds for a collab, just one brah."

Error scoffed, turning around to face the rainbow once more. "Tw0 w0RDs, m@ss1v3 mAk30v3r," Error gestured to his entire outfit. "Y0u'R3 n0t l0Ok1nG l1kE th@t 1n mY v1d30."

"Really brah?" Fresh frowned, unzipping part of his outfit to show the inside of it. "You think this is lame? It's better than the lazy hobo that you're wearing."

"Th1s 1s f@shi0n, thAT b3l0nGs 1n th3 DumPSt3r." Error fired back, getting more angry by the minute. He snarled and waved his hand in dismissal, walking towards his car.

He didn't see the devilish grin of a cunning idea wrap around the parasite's face. "Relax lad, why don't we let yo cute producer decide? The collab would be made by her anyway~"

Error stopped dead in his tracks, glitching in and out at the mention of his producer. There's no way this loser could have figured out who she was... right? The fact that he even talked like that about her fueled his fury. How disrespectful of him.

If it weren't for his popularity, Error would have strangled him on the spot. However, people were starting to look and point them out, as he was being recognized. Fresh knew this, he saw this... and he laughed about it. They both knew Fresh was taunting Error.

"I'll make it stop if ya wish to collab, broski," Fresh shrugged, rezipping his coat.

Subconsciously, Error pulled the strings from his eyes as they continued to glitch, showing his anger. "N3-3-3-v3r." He hissed, holding the strings around his fingers. "N0 0-0n3 wh0 diSr3sp3ctS m3 @nd m-m-my c-cr3w w0rkS w-w1th m3."

"Hope to see you on stage then broski, when you come crawling back to me!" Fresh bowed, the silver on his clothes blinding Error when the sun reflected off of it. "I'll personally be your rival. It'll be easier to get popular that way."

"D0n't f-forg3t a-a-ab0uT th@t s-stup1d c0ntr@ct y0u siGn3d." Error unlocked his car, seething.

"What they gonna do lad, fire me? I'm on my own," he gives a mocking salute to the rap star. "And I'll be the one to take over your career. Good luck broski..." his eyes turned a scary shade of purple. "You'll need it."

Error was incredibly puzzled by Fresh's behavior as he drove home. The only word he could use to describe it was childish, yet it still got under his nerves. Usually, threats don't bother him as they don't get very far. But this one... it was very unsettling.

The rap star would make his way home in silence before eating his favorite meal and collapsing in bed to sleep. Despite all the things he tried to do, Fresh stayed fresh in his mind, and he was unable to shake the feeling that something was about to go seriously wrong for him.

Little did he know what kind of battle for his career this rainbow hobo would bring... And the rivalry it started to this day.

Even then, his producer stayed loyal to him, and Error still made music as usual. Security was increased, and he was able to get his producer a raise due to the song rivalry with Fresh, despite never collabing. Error always thought Fresh's music was childish and inexperienced, especially when the song was putting him under the bus. He believed he had the real roasts when he finally put the song together to tick off the parasite back.

But after the song "Fresh to Rotten Fruit" was released, Error was unable to sleep. He pissed off the rainbow parasite... and the threat on his life and his producer's life was too serious to be ignored.

And Error couldn't fix it without ruining his career.

#idolverse #idol error #idol fresh #error sans #fresh sans #utmv #undertale au #sans au #seasontale creative challenge #short story #writing #Again sorry this took so long #I'm tired

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snoopyana · 3 months

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neighbors.

“ fuck the fame and the fortune. well maybe not the fortune. “

with doyoung recently moving into the area, he wanted to meet his new neighbors. but with his kind intentions, comes a burning desire for his sly next-door neighbor.

kim doyoung. smut

May 15th, 10:35PM.

a faint knock rang throughout your apartment, you had been stationed in your living room, waiting for Hyuck and his friends to arrive. already having everything ready for them, you trudged over to the door, unlocking and swinging it open in one swift motion. the 3 men stepped into your entryway, closing the door behind them.

disappearing into your home, faint chatter from your TV could be heard, paired with your footsteps echoing through the hall. reappearing in front of the trio again, hands now occupied with small bundles of weed. “i think this is all.” voice barely above a whisper, hyuck reached out to empty your hands, giving the drug to the quiet mark and jeno that stood behind him. “thanks and sorry for such short notice, we added a little extra for your time.” pointing behind him, the 2 men shot a small smile, which you gladly returned.

handing you a folded lump of cash, going in for a side hug as he did. “thanks and no problem. but be careful with leaving, they’ve gotten a little more observant lately.” they being the front desk of your apartment complex. sending the males off, you settled back into your couch. counting off the money you newly received.

as the men walked out of the residence, doyoung happened to be at his door across the hall. glancing over his shoulder, he watched as the trio made their way out, mumbling amongst themselves as they spun a corner to the elevator. once they were out of sight, he couldn’t help but look at your door. the realization hitting him, he never even greeted you yet.

May 17th, 7:20PM.

doyoung was awoken to the sound of his alarm going off. rubbing the sleep from out of his eyes, making his way to the kitchen. he had stayed up a little longer than he should have. thinking about how to go about greeting you. slumping over his kitchen island, the male settled for a simple cookie box. praying you had no allergies. deciding to avoid nuts and peanut butter cookies just in case. once his decision was made, heheaded for the shower. you on the other hand, were already ready for your day. planning to have a little outing with your friends, you had gotten a little excited — leading to you being 40 minutes ahead of schedule. scrolling through your phone to kill time.

when the time came, you both walked out your respective doors at the same time. bag slung over your shoulder. locking your door, you turned to see doyoung doing the same. the first thing you noticed was how he basically towered over you, second being how you never saw him before. you examined his outfit, gray turtleneck, and black slacks. seemingly dressed for something important. while you on the other hand were simply going to quick meetup. he turned to meet your gaze before walking down the corridor, with you trailing close behind him, slipping your headphones on. neighbors by j.cole making its way into your ears. stopping at the elevator, doyoung pressed the lobby button.

the ride down was quiet. you were occupied with your phone, he was occupied by you. analyzing and starring a little longer than he should. the sound of the machine rumbling filled the silence, then a ding. the doors slide open and the two of you stepped out. walking towards the door, you finally looked up from your screen to realize he he held the door open for you. “thanks.” you said with a small grin, making your way to your car. he watched you walk away before making his way to the bus stop. his face heating up as the scene replayed in his mind.

May 18th, 4:37PM.

it was a slow day, having a few people stop by to pick up different things from your home. not expecting anyone else for the day, the noise of someone knocking on your door came as a surprise. the pounding continued as your feet shuffled across the floor. opening the door, you were greeted by a nervous doyoung. his hands gripped a little box, the male rocked on his heels, lips parting to speak. but you bet him to it. “how can i help you?” your eyes scanned his face as he searched for his own words. “i just wanted to stop by, say hi. i just moved in across the hall.” he paused, freeing one of his hands to point at his door. “and yeah. i wanted to give you these. they’re cookies.” pushing the box towards your hands, he hoped you’d accept his gift.

his eyes locked with your own, feeling your hands brush over his to retrieve the box. his hands feel back to his side, there was silence. “thanks uh.” you didn’t know his name yet, but he was quick to fix that. “doyoung. i’m doyoung.” he leaned forward a bit as he spoke. “thanks doyoung.” smiling at the male, you retreated back into your home, kicking the door closed with your heel. doyoung doing the same, not wanting to look weird standing outside of your door.

setting the cookies down on your coffee table, you went back to watching whatever show was playing on your tv, quickly being more occupied with your phone instead of whatever lousy show aired that afternoon. glancing over your screen, the pink box of cookies stared back at you.

June 7th, 9:27AM

the sun seeped through your blinds as your alarm blared for the sixth time. your hand draped over your eyes, while the other searched for your phone. turning the alarm off, you laid for a moment— staring at the ceiling. the buzz of your phone making you finally get up. ignoring it for now, you made-way to the bathroom, cranking on the shower.

doyoung had been awake for awhile now, making his rounds around the kitchen. you had told him that you enjoyed the cookies he made last month and the male made it a habit to make you something sweet every week — going out of his way to deliver it in front of your door by 10AM. running a little behind today, he opted for some simple cinnamon rolls. digging in his fridge for the icing he made a few hours prior.

as he baked in his home, you exiting the shower. water dripping from your body while you slowly made your way to your bedroom. flopping into your desk chair, letting your body partially air dry. it was now 9:57 and you expected to hear a knock on the door. quickly dressing yourself, the expected knocks rang through the walls. opening the door to a smiley doyoung, he plopped the treats into your arms. “i hope you don’t mind, i ate like two.” rubbing his hands together, he waited for the hug that you recently started to give him after his deliveries. you two getting rather close in such a short amount of time.

sighing, your eyes locked. “since you had some, im gonna have to skip that hug. bye doie!” going to close your door, his foot stopped it. “you can’t do that!” he whined through the crack. “yes i can, and i just did. bye doyoung!” kicking his foot causing him to retract — giving you time to close the door with a laugh. shuffling to your kitchen, the box was placed on your island, to be eaten later.

June 19th, 2PM

you were sat in front of your vanity, doing last minute touches to your face. doyoung had invited you to hang out a few days ago. offering to take you around the city. it felt like a date, to him it probably was a date, to you it definitely was a date. canceling any other plans you had that day — in case this outing ran longer than planned. slipping on last minute jewelry, your phone buzzed on your bed. rolling your chair to the bed, a message from doyoung blared on your screen.

baker man🐰

hey, just wanted to let you know i’m outside.

rushing to the front door, you slide your shoes on. reaching for the jacket that hung on your coat rack. he could hear you shuffling around as he stood outside your door. adjusting his shirt as he waited. your door finally opening, he made room for you to walk out. “you ready?” he questioned, looking you up and down. “mhm, lets go.”

June 19th, 11:37PM

the night.seemed to go by fast. walking through the streets, stopping at small stores to look around. doyoung had even bought you a few things that you looked interested in — offering to then carry the bags for you as he walked beside you. before you two left, you had offered to take your car, as it would mean he’d have to carry less stuff. he declined, wanting all the places he took you to be a surprise — since if you drove, he’d have to tell you every location. but you didn’t mind walking late into the night, getting to know doyoung even more as you walked together.

making it back to the apartment, you fumbled with the keys as the man stood behind you. bags in hand. finally, the door cracked open and you stepped inside, doyoung following. he placed the bags in your living room, looking around the place as he did. as this was his first time actually being inside your apartment. it was simple, the faint smell of peach invading his senses. “you can take a seat if you want.” you yelled from the kitchen, walking into the living space with two waters. placing his on the coffee table.

he watched as you plopped down onto your couch, making yourself comfortable. doing the same, he relaxed into the seat. there was silence, out the corner of his eye he watched you scroll through your phone. lips parted as your finger lazily tapped the screen. it set him aback when you broke the silence. “tonight was fun, thanks for taking me around.” your eyes were still glued onto your screen — posting some of the pictures that you took while out. doyoungs face was never clearly seen in the pictures, but you kinda liked it. liked the thought of no one really knowing who he was.

“i’m glad you liked it.” he whispered, a smile forming on his face as he turned his body to face yours. feeling the couch dip, your eyes flickered away from your screen. taking in the man that sat in front of you. your gaze going between his eyes and his lips. he took that as a sign, leaning forward until he hovered over you. faces mere inc lol hes away from each other.

throwing your phone onto the couch, you ignored the messages that came in. your hands finding their way to the back of doyoungs neck. gently pushing him down so your lips met. his skin heated up as the small kiss quickly evolved into a not so small make out session. you were in control to start, the power slowly shifting to doyoung as he gripped your waist. breaking the kiss to settle you onto his lap. his lips quickly finding yours again.

stopping for air, you looked at his now expressively dilated pupils. the man shifted underneath you, rocking his hips into yours. blood was rushing to his dick and he painfully aware of it. you were too. your hands gliding through his hair as the light from the TV illuminated parts of his face. he started to get embarrassed as the silence grew and his cock twitched in his pants. eyes roaming around the room to avoid eye contact. his eyes darting to your hands that were making their way to his pants.

leaning down, your lips next to his ear, you whispered “we gotta make this quick, haechans coming by for a deal.” nodding his head, doyoung helped you get his pants off, tugging at the fabric until it was now at his knees. pulling down his boxers, a hiss slipped past his lips as the cold air hit his dick. it twitched as he sat there and watched you discard of your jeans and panties. your shirt covering your bottom half.

your thighs on either side of his lap, you hovered over him. doyoung let his hands grip onto your waist to keep you steady, eagerly watching as you lined his dick up with your hole. slowly sinking down onto the man, his groans filled the room as he was now buried deep inside you. biting down on your lips, adjusting to the stretch.

the man gave you close to no time to adjust any further. gripping onto your sides, his hips snapped up into yours. earning a drawn out gasp from your throat. your arms wrapping around his neck, head falling into the crook of his neck while he abused your core as a brutal pace.

“d..doyoung slow down..” whining into his ear, he only speed up. the sound of skin slapping together filled the dimly lit room. your breathing grew heavy, clenching around the male. the knot in your stomach quickly tightening. you couldn’t even get a sentence out before your body started to feel weak and you were seeing stars. your body being hot to the touch as you came.

you felt dizzy and began to feel over-stimulated as doyoung kept his pace. biting down on his lips, he felt himself start to unravel. “inside?” he huffed out, his arms gripping around your body tighter than before. mumbling a breathy yes into his neck, he quickly finished. feeling his own cum drip onto his legs whist pulling out.

you two laid there for a while, the sound of your phone going off and a knock on the door. reaching for the device, your eyes darting across the screen.

haechannie🐻

hey im outside

i would have came in but you sounded a little

busy‼️‼️

note- hihi, i wasn’t planning on posting this fic first but since it IS doyoung day, i decided to prioritize one of my favorite men. happy birthday doyoung and i hope you guys enjoyed!!💗💗

#luvyujun #kpop #nct #nct 127 #kpop smut #haechan #nct dream #nct smut #doyoung #hyuck #fanfic

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south-of-heaven · 5 months

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Could i possibly request Chyna x daughter reader and maybe she gets to induct her mom into the HOF finally. Slightly emotional please? Her dad could be whoever you want it to be

Proud || Chyna x Daughter!Reader x Eddie Guerrero

Summary: Eddie would've been so proud.

As the moment arrived to honor your mother, Chyna, with her induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, a swell of emotions enveloped you. The pride of recognizing her monumental achievements mingled with a tinge of sadness; Eddie wasn't present to witness this historic moment.

Standing before the podium, you spoke passionately about Chyna's groundbreaking career, her dedication, and the impact she had on the wrestling world. Each word resonated with love and admiration for your mother, their significance echoing in the hall.

Your heart ached as you glanced at the empty seat that should have been occupied by Eddie. You knew how much he would have cherished this moment, witnessing Chyna's well-deserved recognition.

"Mom, I hope you know Dad would be so proud of you," your voice quivered with emotion as you acknowledged Eddie's absence, his memory a guiding presence in your life.

The audience erupted in applause, acknowledging Chyna's extraordinary legacy. Their enthusiasm and admiration were a testament to the impact she had left on the industry.

With a deep breath, you handed Chyna her Hall of Fame plaque, a symbol of her remarkable journey and the mark she left on the wrestling world. Though Eddie wasn't physically present, you could almost feel his spirit, his pride, and the love he held for Chyna and you.

As the ceremony concluded, you felt a sense of bittersweet fulfillment. Honouring Chyna's legacy filled you with immense pride, even in the absence of Eddie. You carried their memory in your heart, knowing that their influence and guidance would forever shape your path in wrestling, continuing the legacy they had left behind.

#wwe fanfiction #wwe x reader #wrestling #pro wrestling #wwe #wwf #world wrestling federation #eddie guerrero x reader x chyna #eddie guerrero x reader #eddie guerrero x chyna #chyna x reader #wwe chyna #chyna x daughter!reader #daughter!reader #chyna x daughter!reader x eddie guerrero

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freakshowtwopointoh · 4 months

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JEALOUS LIMOREAU JEALOUS LIMOREAU JEALOUS LIMOREAU JEALOUS LIMOREAU

Marie was not a jealous person prior to meeting Jordan. She prided herself on being chill. But Jordan was hot hot. Both forms constantly had eyes following them, watching their ass or eyeing their muscles. It wasn't just the fame of being highly ranked. And Marie knew she was lucky to have them, that they chose her, but she couldn't help it - it made her blood boil.

And tonight was no different - even in jeans and a tee-shirt, Marie could feel peoples eyes on them, following Jordan's ass like she wasn't even there. It was harder when Jordan was in their fem!form, because there are so many men who see two fem-ish folks together as a challenge.

Her hand snaked around Jordan's waist, taking advantage of the height different to slide her hand into their back pocket possessively.

Jordan knew what it meant when Marie's grip on them tightened, pulling their hips closer together as they walked. She'd never admit aloud that she was jealous, but it stroked their ego every time her eyes narrowed, glaring down some clueless asshole who dared ogle them.

But today, that wasn't enough for her. She could feel the man walking behind them getting turned on, feeling the flow of his blood shift when he looked at her partner.

"Eyes to yourself, perv." She snapped without looking at the stranger, and before Jordan knew what was happening, they were pushed against the wall of a storage closet, Marie's lips on their neck.

"Mine." she growled, leaving an array of hickies on their skin. The marks wouldn't last past their next shift, but she didn't care. It was a primal urge to claim them, right then.

"Christ, Moreau. Jealous, much?" Jordan teased, which caused Marie to bite harder on their throat, eliciting a whimper from Jordan's lips.

"He was looking at you." She said huskily, aware of how insane she sounded. Then her lips were on theirs and her hand was on the nape of their neck and nothing else existed but this moment.

Marie would ensure that their entire floor knew who Jordan belonged to that evening, their ecstatic screams of her name echoing in the halls until the early morning light.

#jordan li #gen v #gen v prime #gen v fic #gen v smut #jordan x marie #limoreau #marie x jordan

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