#this is about the nice boys' self titled album

[munsonkitten]

It starts small.

Steve buys Eddie a handful of cassettes after the whole Upside Down business. Drops them unceremoniously in Eddie’s lap while Eddie’s laid up in the hospital. Eddie pulls them all out of the plastic bag and lays them out in his lap while Steve stands a few feet away, arms crossed protectively over his torn up middle.

“I got things on your vest,” Steve says as Eddie takes in the titles. “I figured everything in your room’s probably gone now, but I still have your vest, and I’ll — I’ll give it back. When you get out of here. It’s safe in my room. But, just — yeah, the tapes are things you have on it.”

Dio’s The Last in Line, Motorhead’s Ace of Spades, Metallica’s Ride the Lightning, Judas Priest’s Screaming for Vengeance, and WASP’s self-titled album.

“I almost bought you more, but I wasn’t sure what else, and I don’t know much about your music, so I just got those. I was going to bring you my Walkman, but I couldn’t find it,” Steve says. “I think one of the kids borrowed it and never gave it back, actually.”

Eddie still hasn’t said anything yet. He’s still taking in the gift in his lap, can’t even comprehend that Steve wanted to give him more.

“Uh,” Eddie says, trying to get his brain working again. “Yeah. Man. Fuck, dude. Thanks. Seriously. Don’t worry about the Walkman, really. This is nice, Harrington.”

“Yeah, no problem, Munson,” Steve says softly. He goes and sits in one of the chairs in Eddie’s hospital room, and stays there until the kids come running from Max’s overcrowded room to ask for a ride home.

Eddie lays there with his tapes spread out over his lap, and he finds himself smiling down at them. He doesn’t even have anything to listen to them on, but he thinks it might be the most thoughtful gift he’s ever gotten from anyone other than Wayne.

It’s nice, he thinks, that he might be becoming friends with Steve Harrington. It’s nice, he thinks, that even when they’re no longer fighting for their lives, Steve might want to stick around.

He didn’t expect that.

Eddie’s in the hospital for two weeks, and Steve stops by almost every day. He sits for a while, sometimes they talk, sometimes they don’t. Sometimes Eddie wakes up and sees Steve sleeping in one of the uncomfortable hospital chairs. He doesn’t wake him, just smiles to himself because Steve’s tired, but he doesn’t want Eddie to be alone.

It’s been a while since Eddie’s had a friend the same age as him. Jeff and Grant are both two years younger than him, Gareth is four years, and Henderson, Wheeler, and Sinclair are all five or six years younger. He has friends, but Steve feels different, just a few months younger but already graduated. In a way, it makes Eddie feel younger, still being in high school and all.

He doesn’t really think that should matter, but it kind of does. All his younger friends look up to him, he’s always the one making plans and making sure everyone sticks to them, he’s the one in charge of it all — the older one. But when Steve’s around — Steve, with his real job, and high school diploma, and his nice car, and the brood of children he chases after, Steve, who’s an adult in all the ways Eddie himself feels like he’s not — Eddie feels like he can sit back and let someone else do all of that.

When Steve’s around, it feels like he has someone to care for him and look out for him the way he’s done for the others.

It starts to ease everything he’s carried for so long.

* * *

The next time Steve buys something for Eddie, it’s even smaller.

In fact, it’s so small that Eddie doesn’t even notice it at first because Steve was actually really sneaky about it. Eddie would almost find it cute, if he were allowed to think about Steve that way. He’s not, to be clear. It goes against his Munson Doctrine to have crushes on the jocks, rich kids, and straight boys, of which Steve is all three, but if he wasn’t, then yeah, Eddie would find it cute that Steve is sneaking him tiny gifts when he isn’t looking.

There’s a keychain on his van keys that he certainly didn’t get for himself. He notices it one day during a get together at Harrington’s house. Eddie just got out of the hospital a few days ago, and everyone insisted on throwing a party. Now kids are running around Steve’s backyard, yelling and hollering and trying not to fall in the freezing cold pool. It’s still too early in the spring to swim.

Even Max, barely out of the hospital herself, is being wheeled around in her wheelchair by nothing more than El’s mind powers.

It’s kind of fucking insane, to be honest.

But Eddie needs to go out to his car to get his pain meds because he’s really starting to feel the length of the day in his aching joints and healing wounds, so he grabs his keys off Steve’s counter where he left them, and that’s when he sees it.

A tiny metal bat dangling from his keys.

He knows it was Steve because Steve was the only one in the house when he got here and set his stuff down in the kitchen, and no one else has gone inside since Eddie found his way to the backyard, so of course it was Steve.

Eddie doesn’t mention it, just smiles to himself and runs his fingers over the pointed wings.

He sees Steve looking at him when he comes back into the kitchen. Eddie raises his hand and shakes his pill bottle at him, and without another word, Steve goes to the cupboard to get a glass that he fills with water.

Eddie sets his keys back down on the kitchen counter as Steve slides the glass of water over to him. Steve nods at the keys, and Eddie grins at him.

“Thank you,” Eddie says.

“I have a matching one,” Steve says, turning back toward the sink to look out the window above it. “Just, you know, because…”

He gestures at his torso, and then over at Eddie, and Eddie nods. He gets it.

It makes him feel a little bit closer to Steve. Even if Eddie isn’t allowed to crush on him, he’s happy to have someone who gets him. Who understands what he went through, and feels similar pain.

It’s like Steve’s saying You’re with me now, we’re connected, and you’re not getting rid of me.

Read on AO3

#eddie munson #steve harrington #steddie #steve x eddie #steve harrington x eddie munson #steve/eddie #steddie fic #my fics #stranger things

[guillotinebypierre]

It was the night of the Melon Music Awards.

Award season was going strong and the Daesangs were passed around to the usual suspects, or so people thought.

This year things were different, very much so from the average year. This year there was one man, nay one phenomenon who had been sweeping the grand price at every award show he went to.

Y/n L/n, soloist under High Up Entertainment, whose only other noteworthy act was StayC.

Y/n, also known as the 4th gen IT boy, the nation's dream boy and many other, some of them not so PG, nicknames, had debuted this year and was on a streak of breaking records after records, earning him the title of "The Greatest Thing to Happen to Kpop since BTS"

The main appeal of Y/n was that he wasn't only self produced, an incredibly talented singer, songwriter and rapper, one of the best dancers in the industry according to a survey answered by idols in the industry, but also his ethereal visuals. Y/n stood out from the bunch due to his confidence, his height and his impeccable discography.

To many idols, both male and female, Y/n was the definition of crush material. And one of them specifically wanted to use today as an opportunity to finally claim the nation's IT boy as her own.

--3rd Person POV--

Yuna had been eyeing Y/n the whole night, some may even say the whole year. Ever since he debuted she was always talking about his music on Vlives, reposting herself listening to him on Instagram and so much more.

She knew she was wanted by damn near the whole industry and she knew she could have any of them, but none of them were Y/n L/n. None of them had what she truly needed, what she desired.

The night had been another one for the history books, with Y/n dropping another masterclass of a performance and sweeping yet another set of awards, but it was nearing the end.

"And the last award of the night, the award for the Album of The Year goes to......Y/n L/n!"

Soon after the announcer finished his speech confetti shot out on the stage. The camera pans towards a tall man, 20 years of age. He's wearing black a three piece suit, tailor made and exclusively designed for him by Dior, and a black Dior tie . His stance, his confidence, his fragrance, everything about him screams wealth and confidence. His handsome face shows a smile as he stands up and walks up to receive his award.

"I know you might be sick of seeing my face at this point and I'm sorry for that! I want to thank all my fans for everything they've done for me, coming from a smaller company I didn't really expect to achieve this level of fame yet but I am happy to give both me, our company and my lovely StayC sunbaenims more exposure! I want to thank Dior for making this outfit for me tonight and I want to thank everyone who streamed my music! I'll be releasing more next year so be tuned for that. Lastly, I'd like to thank all my peers, ranging from BTS, Red Velvet and TWICE sunbaenims, to NewJeans, IVE, Le Sserafim and Aespa and Itzy noonas for creating music. Your music is amazing and it definitely motivates me to continue making music myself! Please never stop because I love every single one of you! Thank you for another award and good night!"

And with that, Y/n left the stage while the whole building clapped for him. The groups mentioned, blushing while doing so, clapped even harder as they believed this would help them get closer to Y/n.

The night continued and after the event a party for all of the artists was held. To many, this meant drinking and letting lose but to others, it meant getting drunk and getting laid.

--Y/n POV--

I watched as my peers around me let lose a little. It was a nice sight to see if I'm honest. Most of them are way too stuck up due to companies putting bullshit rules on their dating lives and on their personalities. It was nice seeing them unfiltered for once.

Speaking of being comfortable, I finally got around to take off a bit of clothing. I had taken off my jacket and vest, leaving me only in my tie and dress shirt, of which I had rolled up the sleeves to get a bit more comfortable.

"Y/n congratulations on the win!~", a obviously drunk Karina told me as she went for a hug.

"Thank you so much Jimin. You and the girls were great during your performance, I loved your outfits", I replied while hugging her. Even with the strong smell of alcohol on her I still could smell her perfume.

"Thank you baby~ Say, how about we get out of here Y/nn? I really want to spend some time with you alone", Karina told me in a sultry tone.

"Rina I'm flattered but you're obviously drunk. How about I give you my number and we spend some time some other day when you're sober again?", I replied while holding her so that she didn't fall to the ground.

"Gladly~", she replied while giving me her phone.

I typed my number in and saved it before searching for her members and her manager. I looked around for a while before finding Winter and Giselle next to a sleeping NingNing. As I walked towards them Karina started hugging and snuggling up to my side, which made a certain blonde stare daggers into her head.

"Girls please help me with your drunk leader.", I started before dropping onto the couch next to NingNing.

"Oh~ Wha- Y/n? What are you doing here?", NingNing asked me, a bit startled.

"Sorry for waking you up Ning. I was looking for your manager because I think it would be better if you girls went home now.", I told her

Soon after that I spotted their manager appearing, seemingly out of nowhere and looking stressed.

"Manager-nim! Can we go home now? It's getting boring and Jimin had too much to drink already.", Giselle told their manager.

"Sure-" "

Y/nn I don't want to leave you yet~", Karina interrupted them while 'crying'. God knows why she started being cutesy but it was kinda working on me.

"Rina I promise I'll call you after I get home, we can definitely do something tomorrow but now it's better if you went home and slept for a bit.", I told Karina while holding her face forcing her to look me in the eyes.

It was as if she was in a trance and I'm not quite sure if she even heard me but all she said was "Ok" and with that Aespa said their goodbyes and left.

Now it was like before, I was alone and everyone else was having fun. Of course occasionally artists would come up to me and congratulate me. I was especially surprised and moved by Red Velvet and Twice appearing and thanking me for the words I said towards them, but also by Minji from NewJeans, who came up to me and asked me for my number while stuttering, which I found really cute.

However, it soon died down and with everyone being drunk I was about to leave until-

"Y/n wait up!", someone called me from behind.

"Yuna?", I stated questioningly before turning around.

"Wow you really know my voice that well?~ Am I your bias or how did you recognize me that easily?", the gorgeous blonde teased me.

"You are my bias, yeah, but I also noticed you staring at me a long time from that corner over there. Where you mustering up the courage to come up to me all that time?~", I teased her back which resulted in her becoming as red as a tomato.

"Y-Yah it's not my fault you're so intimidating. Doesn't help that you're that handsome either", She said while whispering the last part.

"Anyways, what's up Yuna? Why'd you call me?", I questioned her

"Ah right! You seemed really bored, just like me, so I wanted to ask if you'd like to do something? Drinking isn't really for me since and everyone else but you is damn near blackout drunk soooo", She said while looking up to me.

I smiled at her before agreeing to her offer, which seemingly flipped a switch in her as she now stared at me with lust and hunger in her eyes.

"What did you have in mind noona?", I asked her

"Aish I'm barely older than you, you can drop the honorifics Y/n", she replied while grabbing my hand and dragging me off.

It was dark and I barely couldn't see where we were going, the light only allowed me to see what was in front of me.

We soon reached a door and Yuna walked inside, the bright light startling me due to the contrast to the dark corridors of the venue. I soon realised that she took me to a bathroom and I then realised what kinda of activity Yuna had planned for us.

I turned around and took in her outfit. The lighting in the previous rooms had not done her any justice. It was as if Aphrodite herself had stepped down from heaven and was now reborn as Shin Yuna. She wore a short black dress, designed by Prada for her, matched with high heels that made her damn near 6 feet tall. She had a Louis Vuitton bag in her hand. Her make up was impeccable, it was natural while putting focus on her beautiful features and bringing them out even more. Her lips were full and glossy, natural in their colour and still so beautiful. Her big eyes stared at me, lust evident in them, while blonde hair fell over her shoulders and covered a bit of her forehead. She still still had fake tattoos on her arm from her group's performance. To put it simply, she was ethereal.

"Take a picture it'll last longer", She said, taking you out of your train of thought.

"I'm sorry for staring, you're just really gorgeous", I told her while walking up to her.

She smiled and closed the distance. Our faces were now centimeters apart from each other.

"I'm sure you know why I took you here, don't you big boy? I know you've been given enough prizes already but theres one right in front of you and she wants to be taken by you too." She said before finally closing the distance completely.

It was as if time stopped for a second, my brain was overstimulated due to her scent and the taste of her lips. They tasted sweeter than the sweetest cherries I had ever eaten and it was addicting. Our tongues battled for dominance and we both tried, and failed, to take each others clothes off while making out. I grabbed the straps of her dress and let them fall off her shoulders while she fumbled to get my tie off.

I helped her with taking my shirt and tie off while she took off the rest of her dress. After what felt like an eternity, we both reluctantly stopped kissing in order to catch our breath. I looked her, seeing her only in her bra and panties, while she stared at my abs and chest.

"Take a picture it'll last longer", I told her while smirking

"Shut up and kiss me you idiot", She replied while closing the distance again.

This time she jumped onto me, which gave me the message she wanted me to sit her on the sink. I carried her over and continued making out with Itzy's maknae. My hands found their way towards her waist, gripping it firmly, while her arms interlocked behind my neck, forcing my tongue, which was now inside her mouth, even deeper down her throat. I removed one hand from her waist and expertly took off my belt in one swift motion, letting my pants drop to the floor.

We broke off our kissing and I looked at the goddess in front of me. Her lips were swollen, her eyes dripping with lust and her breathing rapid and uneven.

"I want to taste you.", I told her assertively.

She didn't respond but instead looked me in the eyes, practically begging me to do so, so I did.

I took off her bra and started working on her breasts. I sucked on the skin around them before moving onto the nipples. I played with one of them while sucking the other and vice versa, always making sure to threat them equally. I felt her look at me which made me assume Yuna looked down on me, probably smiling and taking a mental picture of the situation. I knew of her crush on me, the girl wasn't hiding it very well and I'm not stupid nor oblivious, but I can say that I was surprised of her courage to shoot her shot like this.

I continued moving down, liking up and down her toned, flat stomach before making my way to the main dish. She wore black semi see through panties and I quickly noticed that they were damp. I teased her a bit by kissing around her core, licking her inner thighs and biting the flesh, before diving in and pressing my tongue on her clothed vagina. She threw her head back and it was in that moment that I realized that her panties were not damp, they were soaked. I took them off with my teeth, sliding them down to her legs before raised them in order for me to take them off completely. I looked at her pussy. The scent was driving me crazy. It looked freshly shaven and, just as anyone with more than one functioning brain cell could've guessed, was very clean too. I didn't want to waste more time and dove in tongue first. I liked around her outer labia while making circles with my thumb on her erect clit. Yuna was in heaven as far as I could tell based one her moans and how hard she was gripping my hair, so I decided to add even more stimulation. I stuck my tongue inside her wet core, tongue fucking her while continuously playing with her clit and now also her nipples. After a while I switched it up, latching my mouth onto her clit before sticking two fingers inside her and fingering her. Soon enough she came, or rather erupted, as she squirted all over my face and onto the floor behind me. She looked satisfied, however I wasn't finished, so I continued eating her out and it seemed like the stimulation was too much for her sensitive body as she came again soon after, violently shanking and moaning before spraying her sweet nectar on me again.

I stood up and took off the final piece of clothing, my underwear, before taking a few tissues and cleaning my face.

Yuna looked down at me and her eyes widened after laying eyes on my dick before slowly getting off the sink and sinking down to her knees.

She took me into her mouth, trying to fit as much as she could into her before sucking on the tip. She looked up at me, still with lust, while bobbing her head up and down on my member. The bathroom was now filled with gagging and slurping noised as the blonde continued reciprocating the energy I just gave her and sucking me off. She slowly but surely took in inch after inch before going back up and gasping for air. Yuna stroked my cock, which was now completely coated in a thick layer of saliva, before getting up and bending over the sink and swaying her ass at me.

"I think that was enough foreplay, please get over here for the main course Y/n. Claim your prize."

I walked over and positioned myself behind her, however, before entering, I had an idea. I grabbed my tie from the floor and tied Yuna's hands behind her back, using my accessory as a makeshift handcuff, before penetrating her petite body. The bathroom was once again filled witg a loud moan, this time coming from both of us an a kind of perverse harmony. It was as if time stopped again. I felt every fiber, every muscle contracting on my dick. It was as tight as our schedule and as hot as magma. Yuna's pussy felt like heaven and it took everything I had in me to not cum inside her that second. I stayed still for a second, giving her time to adjust to my size before finally fucking her. I thrusted deep, hard and fast into her, fucking as if it was the last day on earth. With every thrust I felt her pussy clench around my dick and I saw her ass jiggle. With every thrust her moans reached a higher pitch, reaching octaves that she didn't even reach in the studio. With every thrust I felt the knot in my stomach growing bigger and bigger, I felt that familiar sensation boiling up and coming to a climax. With every thrust I saw Yuna's mouth hanging open wider and wider, more and more drool dripping out of her mouth. With every thrust her eyes rolled further and further into her skull. Her hands had gone limp, hands which she could've used for support had they not been tied up. All of this culminated into a climax, a climax as hard as either of us had every climaxed before, with Yuna clenching so hard around me that it was borderline impossible for me to go out of her again, before violently shaking again and dropping with her face down onto the sink. I continued thrusting throughout her climax and just as I felt the knot in my stomach about to explode I looked her into her eyes and they told me one thing- to not pull out.

So that exactly what I did. With one last thrust I buried myself as deep as I could inside her before finally releasing all of my semen into Shin Yuna's womb. Thick spurt after thick spurt shot out of my dick, coating her insides in a layer of cum, so much so that it started dripping down her thighs. I stayed inside her for a bit before finally pulling out, exhausted but still hard.

Still unsatisfied I picked Yuna up, holding her from beneath her thighs while having her back turned to him. I walked in front of the mirrors before entering Yuna again, making her release a long drawn out moan. I continued pistoling in and out of her like me life depended on it, making sure she could see her lewd expression on the mirror before slowly but surely feeling myself come to a climax again. I continued fucking her, slowing down a bit but thrusting harder than before until Yuna came, squirting onto the mirrors in front of her. Her head dropped down in exhaustion and a few seconds after I came inside her for the second time this night. I emptied out my semen before placing the exhausted girl down on the floor, seeing as a puddle of my cum was slowly building due to it overflowing or rather flowing out of her.

Yuna was breathing heavily, barely being able to hold herself upright before speaking for the first time in forever-

"We aren't done yet. I still need your cum in my mouth.", She told, no she demanded of me.

Yuna crawled towards me before taking my semi hard dick into her mouth, tasting a mixture of our cum. She licked around the tip, this time being unable to both support herself and stroke me due to her hands being tied up. She gagged on my cock, going further and further down each time, almost trying to increase her depth with each lick. I felt her throat tightening around me, making me feel things I had never felt before. She continued bobbing her head up and down until I decided that I had enough and took the lead myself. I grabbed both sides of her head and started throat fucking Yuna. The gagging got louder and Yuna got wetter. From where I was standing I could make out the shape of a smile forming onto her face. I continued bucking my hips back and forth, reaching further and further with each thrust until, for the third time that night, I felt my orgasm inching closer and closer. My thrusts became sloppier, my grip on Yuna's hair loosened and soon, with one last throb, my dick came undone in Yuna again, this time coating her throat in thick, white, hot, sticky spurts of cum.

I stayed inside her for a while, giving enough room to breathe but also making sure she kept all of my cum inside her mouth, until finally backing off and looking at what I had done to her. Her make up ruined, her chin coated in saliva and precum, between her legs was a puddle of my semen and her cum and our clothes were scattered around the bathroom. The sink was wet, the mirrors were foggy and still had her squirt on them and my pants were soaked in her juices. I looked at her and she innocently looked back, smiling sweetly before standing up and cleaning herself.

We both put our clothes back on before she walked, or rather limped, back to her members. The party was surprisingly still on going, however, it was more than appropriate for me to leave. I looked back at Yuna, bowing towards her members before seeing her wink at me and soon I left the party. I got into my car, asking my manager to drive me back to my house before checking my phone, seeing two new messages.

unknown number

>hi Y/nn. I hope you had fun, I already miss having you inside me baby. I got your number from Jihyo unnie, hope you don't mind. Feel free to call me if you want to 'spend some time' together again ;) I feel so full right now, thank you for your nutritious meal.

See you soon handsome~ xoxo -Yuna

'This girl will be the death of me', I muttered while throwing my head back. I quickly replied to her before looking at the second message.

Rina Noona❤️

>Y/nn~ I think you can tell who this is based on the name I put but I got home and I'm feeling better already. Please text me once you get home, or call me. No matter the time I'll pick up. I really want to hear your voice again baby~ I'll definitely hold you up to that offer too because I always get what I want and you just happen to be first place on my wishlist right now. Don't forget to hit me up or I'll be sad :(

xoxo your -your favourite Idol in the whole wide world.

...To be continued

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#kpop fanfic #kpop imagines #kpop smut #kpopfap

[lovesongbracket]

Reminder: Vote based on the song, not the artist or specific recording! The tracks referenced are the original artist, aside from a few rare cases where a cover is the most widely known.

Lyrics, videos, info, and notable covers under the cut. (Spotify playlist available in pinned post)

Work Song

Written By: Hozier

Artist: Hozier

Released: 2014

Alternate version included: Live in America, 2015

This is the only song on Hozier’s self titled album to have a title that is not entirely composed of lyrics from the song. The song is about the love of a worker’s life lending him strength during a hard day’s work. The song encompasses indie with strong influences on folk, blues and negro spirituals.

[Verse 1] Boys, workin' on empty Is that the kinda way to face the burning heat? I just think about my baby I'm so full of love I could barely eat There's nothin' sweeter than my baby I'd never want once from the cherry tree 'Cause my baby's sweet as can be She give me toothaches just from kissin' me [Chorus] When my time comes around Lay me gently in the cold dark earth No grave can hold my body down I'll crawl home to her [Verse 2] Boys, when my baby found me I was three days on a drunken sin I woke with her walls around me Nothin' in her room but an empty crib And I was burning up a fever I didn't care much how long I lived But I swear, I thought I dreamed her She never asked me once about the wrong I did [Chorus] When my time comes around Lay me gently in the cold dark earth No grave can hold my body down I'll crawl home to her When my time comes around Lay me gently in the cold dark earth No grave can hold my body down I'll crawl home to her [Bridge] My babe would never fret none About what my hands and my body done If the Lord don't forgive me I'd still have my baby and my babe would have me When I was kissin' on my baby And she'd put her love down, soft and sweet In the low lamplight, I was free Heaven and hell were words to me [Chorus] When my time comes around Lay me gently in the cold dark earth No grave can hold my body down I'll crawl home to her When my time comes around Lay me gently in the cold dark earth No grave can hold my body down I'll crawl home to her

Lay All Your Love On Me

Written By: Björn Ulvaeus & Benny Andersson

Artist: ABBA

Released: 1981

Cover included: Amanda Seyfried & Dominic Cooper for Mamma Mia!, 2008

“Lay All Your Love On Me” explores the high emotions and passions that can emerge when falling in love, and documents one woman’s shift into erratic behaviors as she falls under the spell of her new lover. The song hit number one in the US dance charts in 1981, but has lasted in popularity over the years, becoming an ABBA staple. It was featured in the band’s jukebox musical (and its movie adaption), Mamma Mia, and in 2006 was named the 60th greatest dance song of all time by Slant magazine.

[Verse 1] I wasn't jealous before we met Now every woman I see is a potential threat And I'm possessive, it isn't nice You've heard me saying that smoking was my only vice [Pre-Chorus] But now it isn't true Now everything is new And all I've learned has overturned I beg of you [Chorus] Don't go wasting your emotion Lay all your love on me [Verse 2] It was like shooting a sitting duck A little small talk, a smile, and baby, I was stuck I still don't know what you've done with me A grown-up woman should never fall so easily [Pre-Chorus] I feel a kind of fear When I don't have you near Unsatisfied, I skip my pride I beg you, dear [Chorus] Don't go wasting your emotion Lay all your love on me Don't go sharing your devotion Lay all your love on me [Verse 3] I've had a few little love affairs They didn't last very long and they've been pretty scarce I used to think that was sensible It makes the truth even more incomprehensible [Pre-Chorus] 'Cause everything is new And everything is you And all I've learned has overturned What can I do? [Chorus] Don't go wasting your emotion Lay all your love on me Don't go sharing your devotion Lay all your love on me Don't go wasting your emotion Lay all your love on me Don't go sharing your devotion Lay all your love on me Don't go wasting your emotion Lay all your love on me

#polls #poll tournament #poll bracket #tournament #bracket #lovesongbracket #round4 #hozier #work song #abba #lay all your love on me

[harry-on-broadway]

The Last Line: Part One

Part One 

Word Count: 9.4K || Series Masterlist || Rating: M

A/N: I didn’t think I’d be writing another series so soon after TYTM but...this little idea of an enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story that I’ve been thinking about for a long time just wouldn’t go away. Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I’m enjoying writing it. Would love to hear what everyone thinks! 

***

May 12, 2017

Review: Harry Styles Heads In A New Direction

By Penny Sanders

If you know someone, most likely a young woman, between the ages of 13 and 30, chances are you’ve heard of Harry Styles.

Or at least his former band, One Direction.

Styles is one of the five young men that were thrown together by the infamous Simon Cowell to create the best selling boy band of all-time. Over their brief career, One Direction’s discography cast a wide net, attracting fans of all ages. Young tweens and their millennial counterparts were drawn in by the clean-cut look of the lads clad in blazers and bowties and lyrics that felt like they were pulled from a self-insert fanfiction. However, as the years progressed the band added a bit of an edge – tattoos, rumors of an attempted threesome, and lyrics about a loaded gun (read: erect penis). But with 1D in the midst of an indefinite hiatus, all eyes are on Harry, Niall, Liam, and Louis (and Zayn too) to see what comes next.

Styles has answered that question with a 10-song debut that is worlds away from the five albums he put out with his former band. Gone are the bubblegum beats, replaced by alternatively somber and bombastic instrumentals. And forget cheeky “wink-wink nod-nod” lyrics to – gasp! sex! Styles readily admits getting himself off in a hotel room in the album’s closer, “From the Dining Table.”

It’s not a poor offering, but frankly, it’s not great either. While he pushes himself to redefine the sound that has been associated with him for more than five years, the result is a generic LP that will likely be forgotten as soon as one of the industry’s legitimate superstars releases a new single. And, to head off the question I’ve already received from many of Styles’ supporters on Twitter, I can guarantee that you won’t be seeing this album or any of its tracks, mentioned at this year’s Grammy Awards.

One of the bright spots on the album, the lead single “Sign Of The Times,” feels like a grand moment, but it also feels misplaced, almost as if it was a song that should have come a decade into his solo career. Despite poignant lyrics (the song is purportedly about a mother dying in childbirth), Styles’ falsetto needs strengthening and at times he sounds like a young boy trying to imitate his elders. He has talent and shows promise, but isn’t able to pull off a ballad of that caliber yet. Other songs, like “Sweet Creature” and “Two Ghosts” are instantly forgettable, though “Kiwi,” while memorable, is just plain painful to listen to.

Styles is obviously popular, and that alone will be enough to propel him to years of sold-out shows and chart-topping albums. But he needs something else – a secret ingredient if you will –  to launch him to further stardom and cement his name alongside his idols Nicks, Bowie, and Jagger. Otherwise, he’ll be nothing but a midnight memory.

***

September 21, 2017

Review: Harry Styles Rocks The Greek Theatre

By Penny Sanders

Months after the release of his self-titled debut album, Harry Styles found himself at the Greek Theatre, ready to play to a sold out crowd that had likely been waiting for this moment since One Direction’s final performance.

And let me just say, attending a Harry Styles concert is an experience like no other.

The intimate venue was a nice change of pace for Styles who was selling out stadiums in the latter half of One Direction’s tour. He was always seen as the charming one, and the small stage makes that even more apparent, giving him more than enough time to banter with the audience, introduce songs, and connect with his audience. I’m sure many of those in the front of the crowd will tell stories for years to come of the night they made eye contact with the heartthrob.

With just 10 songs of his own, he relied on some One Direction hits and other covers to fill out the setlist. With the exception of “The Chain,” most of the covers sounded nothing like the original version, leading anyone unfamiliar with Styles’ career so far to assume the guitar heavy, rocking versions of the songs – notably “What Makes You Beautiful” and “Story of My Life” – are the standard.

Styles has a charisma like no other, and even though it’s clear it takes him a while to warm up to the crowd, perhaps a symptom of never being alone onstage in his career so far, he’s a born performer who belongs on the stage. But for me, he wasn’t the standout. It was his fans.

The crowd was ready for fun, dressed to the nines, with nearly everyone carrying overflowing bags of merch. They sang along to the songs word perfect and clung to Styles every word, cheering louder than I’ve ever heard when he entered the stage. It was a joyous occasion and had an energy I haven’t seen in any of the concerts I’ve recently attended.

I spoke to a number of women in attendance last night, asking them what drew them to the show. Some cited their One Direction fandom, while others spoke of the sounds of his music, and how it reminded them of other classic songs they love. But for many, Styles himself was the primary reason for being there.

“He makes things really personal,” said Ally, a college student who came from Minneapolis to see the show – her third time seeing Styles this year. “A lot of the other concerts I go to, the artists don’t say anything other than a generic thank you. But Harry makes every show feel special.”

“He feels like a friend,” said Katrina, a local high-schooler. “School’s not always easy and I sometimes struggle with things, but when I listen to his music or go to one of his shows, it feels comforting. Like I’m in a safe place.”

These statements perfectly summarize why Styles’ concerts are so unique.

If he stays true to what his fans want and lets his personality shine on stage, that, in addition to strengthening his songwriting, could be enough to land him alongside his musical icons, and 50 years from now, we’ll see him headlining stadiums on his own, playing a career’s worth of hits as the crowd – full more than just women – sings along.

Longtime readers will remember that I was less than effusive in my review of Styles’s debut, but after seeing him live, I must eat my words and say he’s going places.

***

Transcript from the “Track After Track” podcast, Episode 147: July 21, 2018

Ethan: Speaking of concerts, Penny, you just saw Harry Styles at the Forum, right?

Penny: Yeah, I was there a week ago. Eight days? No a week ago. Sorry it all blends together.

Ethan: I mean, you are at a concert every night, pretty much, so I’ll give you a pass.

Penny: [laughs] You’re so kind. But yes, I was at his show.

Tyler: How was that? I never know what to make of these boy band guys. For every Timberlake, there’s 10 Chris Kirkpatricks.

Penny: It wasn’t terrible. He puts on a good show.

Ethan: Was this your first time seeing him?

Penny: No. I saw him twice when he was in One Direction. And when he was at the Greek.

Tyler: And?

Penny: Like I said, he’s not terrible. It’s clear that his music and personality has resonated with a lot of people, so his shows are filled with fans and have a great energy. Listening to the album on its own is kind of meh…there weren’t a lot of tracks that stuck out as memorable…but live it can be kind of fun. You can tell he loves performing and really feeds off the crowd.

Ethan: Confession: I actually haven’t listened to the album yet.

Penny: That doesn’t surprise me based on the number of EDM CDs in your car.

Ethan: [laughs] Yeah, the genre definitely isn’t my cup of tea, but I think Harry is someone the industry really needs to watch. He’s going to do big things. Well, even bigger since he’s already pretty massive. Tyler, have you listened?

Tyler: Yeah, but I just can’t bring myself to get into it. Like, you just mention his name and you can hear the teen girls screaming off in the distance. I just think it’s a red flag when your fanbase is that narrow. Like if teen girls are your driver, how are you going to succeed? What happens when they’re not 13 and hormonal anymore. You’re not seeing a lot of geriatric boy band fans.

Penny: Wow! Ageism and sexism all in one statement! That has to be a first for you! It’s fine to say you don’t like his music, but to discount it purely on the basis that younger women like it…that’s just plain ignorant.

Tyler: Let’s evaluate this in five years and see where he is.

Penny: Fine, in five years have me back on this podcast and we’ll discuss his Grammy win.

Tyler: You’re out of your goddamn mind if you think Harry Styles will win a Grammy. You need to start thinking with your head and not your – (inaudible)

Penny: Seriously?

Ethan: OK, let’s talk charts…

***

Talking Biz News  

November 8, 2018

Penny Sanders to join media start-up The Moment as Music Reporter

***

Present Day, 2019

“She needs to go back to copyediting and stop fucking up my stories,” Chloe barked, stabbing lettuce onto her fork to match her anger. “She knows nothing about film but is constantly trying to make corrections and I’m just like ‘No?!? That’s not how the fucking industry works.’” She looked across the table at Penny. “Am I crazy?”

“No, you’re not crazy,” Penny said, trying to soothe her friend. “I have the same issue with Darren. He came in thinking he was hot shit because he had been at Rolling Stone and started trying to explain how the charts work as if I haven’t been covering this for years. I can’t tell you how much time I spend undoing his edits before the piece goes to Skylar.”

“Why can’t this newsroom hire a competent editor?” Chloe asked. “It’s not that hard.”

“Probably because no editor wants to work here?”

“Good point!”

Penny and Chloe were eating a late lunch in the courtyard of the complex that housed The Moment, the entertainment publication they both worked for. They’d met three years ago during a summer internship at Variety and forged an alliance after realizing they were the only two women in the program. Penny had wanted to cover music and Chloe was determined to become a film reporter, and they’d been thrilled to finally end up at The Moment together after several years of freelancing and fighting for staff writer roles. Now, they were unstoppable, filing stories daily and dodging pointless notes from their first editors.

“Wait, Penny…didn’t you file your piece on ‘Old Town Road’ today?”

“Yes, and I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Why? It’s such an interesting story,” Chloe whined. “And I haven’t seen anyone covering it yet.”

“That always makes me nervous.” Penny swirled her spoon through her bowl of soup.

“It shouldn’t. It means you’re ahead of the curve.”

“Or I’ve completely misjudged the story. Maybe it’s nothing.”

“It’s not nothing. Give it a month and everyone will be talking about it.” Chloe paused. “Is Darren taking firsts?”

“Yes.”

“Oh fuck.”

“Yeah, it’s not looking good for me, Chlo.”

The Moment’s typical reporting and editing process involved a reporter filing a story to one editor, who would do an intensive first edit, fixing the structure of the story, making notes on sections that needed to be added or get cut, and getting the piece 99% ready for publication. The second round of edits was largely focused on fixing grammar and spelling, as well as fact-checking, ahead of publication. Penny typically preferred Skylar, the publication’s editor-in-chief, to take on first edits. While she could be tough, she was smart and kind, and Penny’s stories were always much better after Skylar got her hands on them. When other editors, like Darren, took first edits, Penny knew to prepare herself for days of tears, stress, and questioning her life choices.

“What about you?” Penny asked, wanting to shift the conversation away from her anxiety over her story. “Have things calmed down post-Oscars?”

“Yes. Thankfully.”

Penny knew Chloe loved her job but from late August to early March, she was running from festival to festival, covering awards season. In addition to writing her articles, she, like Penny, found herself taking on media hits as an added responsibility, appearing on morning shows, podcasts, and radio programs to break down entertainment topics for everyday consumers. It was fun and super fulfilling, but it was also exhausting.

“When is Cannes again?”

“May!” Chloe said brightly. “Easily my favorite festival.”

“I have no idea why,” Penny said with a sly grin. “Two weeks on a French beach surrounded by celebrities, eating the most delicious food. It sounds horrid.”

“Oh my God, Penny? What are you doing here?”

Penny and Chloe turned in synchronicity to look at the man who had shouted at them from a table across the path.

“Do we know him?” Chloe asked, mumbling the question through the tentative grin she had plastered on her face.

“I can’t actually see his face,” Penny admitted, squinting trying to gain a better view.

“This is why you need to wear your glasses,” Chloe hissed.

“Of all the food courts in Los Angeles,” the man continued as he walked over to them.

“Wait…Tom? Is that you?”

“It is! How have you been?” He opened his arms and pulled Penny into him. She wrapped her own arms around him.

“So good. I didn’t realize you were out here.”

“I’ve actually been here for a few years now.”

“Shit. Really. I feel so bad that I didn’t reach out,” Penny said apologetically. “And I’m also surprised that my mom didn’t mention you.”

“Eh, it’s not a problem,” he shrugged.

“Care to introduce me?” Chloe asked.

“Ah, yes,” Penny said, composing herself. “Chloe, this is Tom Skoglund. He’s a longtime family friend, although I’m sure that title is being called into question since I didn’t even know he was living here. Tom, this is Chloe. She’s a friend of mine who also works at The Moment.” Penny stepped back to allow Chloe and Tom to shake hands and exchange pleasantries. “Do you want to sit with us?” she asked when they were finished, noting Tom’s sandwich and chips.

“If you don’t mind,” he said. “I’d love to catch up.”

Penny and Chloe sat back down as Tom pulled up a third chair and set his food down. “So you’re still doing the reporter thing?” he asked with a grin. He turned to Chloe. “Penny used to write a newsletter for everyone in the neighborhood. It had news items and opinion pieces all written by her. I seem to remember a glowing review for the second High School Musical soundtrack.”

“It’s full of bangers and you know it,” Penny said with a grin.

Tom turned to Chloe. “Do you also cover music?”

Chloe shook her head. “I’m a film girl.”

“Thoughts on the Oscars?” he asked as he took a bite.

“Anyone who actually pays attention to previous stats knew that Green Book would pull out a win so I wasn’t surprised. I will be curious to see what Netflix does next though. I personally thought The Favourite should have won, but that’s why I’m not a voter.”

“I literally only saw Black Panther and A Star Is Born so I feel like I don’t have room to say anything,” Tom said with a grimace.

“You sound like Penny,” Chloe said with a laugh. “She can tell you the exact week a song hit number one on the Billboard charts, but is frighteningly unaware of the latest movies.”

“I only have so much room for useless facts,” Penny said, earning a kick under the table from Chloe. She turned her attention back to Tom. “What are you doing here? Last I heard my mom said you were working in finance? Is that still the case?”

“God no,” he said lightly. “I had enough of that soul crushing job and decided to head out here to hack it in music. Got an assistant gig and worked my way up to manager.”

“Tom, that’s incredible,” Penny said with genuine excitement. “Who are you with?”

“Full Stop. With Jeff Azoff”

“Wow,” Penny said as Chloe let out a slow whistle. She turned to look at her friend.

“Yes, I know who the Azoffs are,” Chloe said. “And that’s impressive. Congrats, Tom.” Her phone chirped and she looked down at the screen. “Fuck. One of my sources wants to chat. I’ve got to take this.” She looked up at Penny and Tom. “It was so nice to meet you, Tom. Penny, I’ll see you at drinks later?”

Penny nodded and waved as Chloe disappeared across the grass, depositing her empty salad container in the trash. “So Full Stop,” she said, turning back to Tom. “You all have quite the roster.”

“Before you ask, no comment,” Tom said with a grin.

“Tom, I’m disappointed that you’d think I would stoop that low. I have a firm stance on not using friends for work stuff.”

“Well good, because you’d get nothing out of me.” He took a sip of his drink. “Remind me, are you still doing breaking news?” He grimaced. “I know I see your byline frequently, but I don’t always remember which article it comes in front of.”

“No. I moved on from that.” Penny didn’t miss the days of covering the desk at night, ready to pounce on any stories that came across the wire. “I mostly do reviews for concerts and albums now. I’m working my way up to business features, profiles, those types of things.”

“What should I go back and get caught up on?”

“I reviewed Maggie Rogers’ album a couple of weeks ago and wrote a review of Elton John’s show last week.”

“God, doesn’t he put on a great show.”

“One of the best. And I’m working on a feature about TikTok and ‘Old Town Road’ right now.”

“That sounds so interesting. Is it up yet?”

“No. I just filed it to my editor so there is a very good chance that it will never see the light of day. But if it does, I will send it your way.”

“Please. Let me give you my number.”

Penny pulled out her phone and handed it to her old friend. It was a strange feeling knowing that in the heyday of their friendship, they hadn’t needed each other's number, knowing they could always find the other in the cul-de-sac or the school hallways.

“Done.” Tom said, saving his contact information and passing the phone back to Penny, who quickly dashed off a text so he would have her information as well.

“I should probably head back into the office now,” Penny said. “But it was great to see you.”

“You too,” Tom said, standing to hug her. “Actually, I was wondering if you’d want to come to a little party slash happy hour thing I’m having on Friday. It’s super casual, basically just drinks and fancy snacks with a bunch of people from the office. I think they’d all love to meet you and talk music. Off the record,” he added quickly.

“That sounds like a lot of fun,” Penny replied. “I should be free Friday.”

“Great. I’ll text you my address and we can take it from there.”

“Thanks, Tom,” Penny said, collecting her trash. “I’m really looking forward to seeing more of you.”

“Same. I’ll see you on Friday.”

Penny waved as she threw her trash away and headed back to her building. She smiled to herself. It would be nice to have another friendly face around. They were too rare in her line of work.

***

Penny promptly shut her laptop at 5pm, stowing it in her tote bag and pushing her chair underneath her desk.

“Have a nice weekend!” she called out to the few staffers that were remaining in the newsroom, before heading to her car. She plugged Tom’s address into her GPS app, hit play on her Spotify playlist, and pulled out of the parking lot. She was about 45 minutes away, thanks to the heavy traffic that was a near constant presence in the city, but made it to Tom’s house before her 80s synth mix was finished playing, which she counted as a win.

She grabbed her bag and fished around in the backseat for the bottle of wine she’d purchased earlier that day. She wasn’t sure if this was that type of gathering, but she felt weird showing up empty handed. Hopefully Tom wouldn’t say no to some Trader Joe’s wine. She locked her car and walked up the path and heard some shouts coming from the backyard. She rang the bell and just a few moments later, Tom appeared with a smile on his face.

“Penny! Come on in!” he said, opening the door for her. “How was the drive over?”

“Not as bad as it could have been,” she replied, shrugging off her cardigan and tote bag.

“I can take those,” Tom offered, reaching for her belongings, and placing them in a nearby closet.

“Thanks,” Penny said. “And this is for you,” she added, offering him the bottle of wine.

“You didn’t have to bring anything.”

“It’s from Trader Joe’s, Tom. It is quite literally the least I could do.”

He laughed. “Well, thank you. I’ll put it out now. It’s an open bar, so help yourself. Once you get a drink, I’ll take you around and introduce you to everyone.”

Penny poured herself a rum and Coke, and followed Tom out to the patio, drink in hand.

“Penny, I’d like you to meet Tommy Bruce,” he said. “Tommy, this is my friend, Penny. We reconnected the other day.”

“Pleasure, Penny,” Tommy said, shaking her hand. “Do you also work in the industry?”

“Sort of. I’m a critic and reporter at The Moment. I cover music.”

“That’s sick. Do you go to a lot of shows?”

“Yes. I was at Elton John’s show the other day and I’m planning to see Post Animal in a couple of weeks.”

“I was at Elton too! I wonder if we ran into each other?”

“We probably did,” Penny said with a laugh.

“Are you planning to go to Leon Bridges?”

“I’m not sure yet. I have to get everything approved by my editor so it’s up to her.”

“I hope you can. He’s so good. Hey, Jeff!”

Tom and Tommy turned their attention to another man that had approached their small group.

“Penny, this is the man, the myth, the legend, Jeffrey Azoff,” Tom said.

“They exaggerate,” Jeff said. “Nice to meet you Penny.”

“Nice to meet you too,” Penny said, moving her drink to her other hand so she could shake Jeff’s. “I’m an old friend of Tom’s from growing up. I work as a music journalist now.”

“Yeah, you’re at The Moment, right?” Jeff said.

“Yes…” Penny said slowly.

“OK,” Tommy said, affably rolling his eyes. “He’s such a show off.”

“I try to keep up with those who cover our clients, that’s all,” Jeff said. “And if it makes me look like a show-off, so be it,” he added, as Tommy playfully punched his shoulder.

As the men continued to banter, Penny surveyed the room, making the silent calculation she faced nearly everyday. Including herself, there were four women total at the gathering, which felt like a huge accomplishment. Working in her industry, she was used to being one of the only women in the room, a blessing and a curse.

The blessing was that whenever she found another woman at an event or meeting, they instantly gravitated toward each other, which meant she’d made a lot of friends in just a few years. The curse was obvious: men.

The men that surrounded her weren’t the worst offenders – they kept their hands and other body parts to themselves and were generally very kind – but being the lone woman was noticeable. Men would casually throw out that someone was a “bitch” or offer Penny an explanation that they didn’t give to a male reporter two years her junior. Penny usually just took it with a grain of salt, sighing internally, complaining to Chloe, and then proving her worth by being the smartest one in the room. Keeping an eye on two women chatting in the corner, she started to move towards them to introduce herself when she caught sight of another person across the way.

Harry Styles.

Or was it? Was that actually him? Chloe was right, she needed to wear her glasses more often. But Harry Styles being here didn’t make any sense. What would he be doing at a random house party?

She felt a hand on her shoulder and stepped over to the side to allow the person to pass and collect her thoughts. The more she thought about it, Harry Styles being at this party made sense. She knew from stories she’d worked on that he was repped by Full Stop, so it wasn’t totally out of the realm of possibility that he would hang out with Tom and the other agents outside of work, but it was still jarring to see him out in the wild.

Whenever she told people she was a music journalist, their first instinct was to assume that she was close to many of the artists she reported on daily, but that wasn’t the case. When she was attending an event, it was a professional engagement. She was there to gather the facts, tell a story, and move on. Socializing with those in the industry outside of that professional setting made her uncomfortable. Especially when she was working on a review or piece of criticism. It was one thing to write those things and send them off into the vacuum of the internet, but when she thought about the subjects of the reviews reading her writing, she started to feel…guilty. She never intended to be mean – she knew how she felt when she received harsh notes from an editor – but the point of her reviews was to offer commentary and opinions. And if she thought too much about the people behind the work, her objectivity disappeared. So, she’d made a concerted effort to keep a firm boundary to ensure her writing was as good as it could be.

The few times she did meet musicians outside of work events, she could feel her brain going a mile a minute to remember if she’d ever written something slightly negative about them for fear they’d call her out on it, as despite what every musician claimed, they always read the reviews. And her brain started working overtime to perform these mental calculations as she saw Harry stop in front of her.

“Haven’t seen you here before. I’m Harry,” he drawled slowly, reaching out his hand.

Penny momentarily froze, but quickly recovered. “I’m Penny,” she said, shaking his hand.

“Do you work at Full Stop?” he asked, eyes glancing over her as if he was trying to figure out where she should be placed.

“No.”

“At one of the labels?”

“No.”

“OK, well I’m stumped as to where you fit it,” he said with a light laugh. “Care to enlighten me?”

“I’m a writer,” Penny replied, hoping the vague nature of her answer was enough to satisfy him.

“Have you written anything I’ve read?”

“Maybe.”

“Care to give me any other clues?” he asked, sipping from the plastic cup in his hand and leaning in closer to hear her response. Penny couldn’t tell what it was, but from the smell wafting over to her, it was something strong.

“I’m a journalist.”

“What do you cover?” Another sip, his eyes intensely focused on her.

“Entertainment,” Penny said simply, praying this game of 20 questions would be over soon.

“That’s kind of vague,” Harry replied quickly.

“That’s kind of the point.”

“Oh! A woman with an air of mystery. That’s…” he paused. “Enticing.”

“Enticing?” Penny quirked a brow and shot him a bemused grin.

“Yeah, it’s like a challenge. You’re making me work for it.”

“For what?”

“I don’t know, maybe a drink?” Harry asked hopefully.

“Wow. Subtle.”

“I try.” The corners of his lips ticked up. “Maybe I should try a little harder though.”  

Penny was thinking up a witty comeback, somewhat amused by the situation she’d found herself in and very pleased that she’d have a new story to share with Chloe at lunch on Monday, when Tom interrupted their conversation.

“There you two are! I was hoping to introduce you all tonight.” He looked at Harry, gesturing to Penny. “This is Penny. She’s a friend from back home who’s a big time writer for The Moment. She writes reviews for concerts and albums.”

Penny snuck a look at Harry and thought she saw a flicker of…something…in his eyes. It was so subtle and so brief that she didn’t have time to think about what it could mean before she felt Tom’s arm on her back.

“And Penny, you of course know Harry.”

“I do. I think one of my friends had a toothbrush with your face on it.”

“Hmmm,” Harry murmured. “Those were a hot item for sure.”

Tom’s eyes darted between the two, evidently waiting for them to continue the conversation he had interrupted. Seeing that that wasn’t going to happen, he excused himself and moved onto another group of people.

“So, music is the kind of entertainment you cover.” The banter was back but it had a harder edge this time.

“It is.”

“Have you ever written about me?”

Penny mulled her potential responses, trying to find one that could cause the path of least resistance. “No,” she said simply.

“Really?” Harry said. The challenge in his voice was evident. “You weren’t the one who said I sound like ‘a young boy trying to imitate his elders?’”

Fuck. Penny felt her face grow hot. “That might have been me.”

“I thought so.”

“How long did you know?”

“Once Tom said the name of where you work. There aren’t that many critics named Penny that wrote a scathing review of my album.”

“It wasn’t scathing,” Penny said, suddenly feeling defensive of her work. “It was critical, sure, but that’s what my job is. I’m a critic. And besides, don't musicians get off on bragging about how they don’t pay attention to the reviews?”

“Hate to break it to you but that’s a load of bullshit. We are all very sensitive creatures.”

“Well, that’s clear based on how you’re acting now.”

“How I'm acting? You’re the one that’s yelling in the middle of a party.”

“I’m not yelling!” Penny said, lowering her voice by a couple of decibels. “You’re the one that came over here trying to score and then decided to pick a fight because you can’t forget about one review from like two years ago.”

“I’m sorry–” Harry laughed in disbelief. “You thought I was trying to get lucky? What made you think that?”

“‘Ah! A mysterious woman! So enticing! I like a challenge. You’re making me bloody work for it. Let’s get a drink!’” Penny shot back in a poor imitation of his slow, deep voice.

“I did not say that.”

“Yes you did!” Penny yelped. “You totally did.”

“Whatever,” Harry mumbled, taking another sip of his drink while Penny just looked at him.

“That’s all you have to say?”

Harry looked at her blankly. “Yes?”

“Oh, I thought you might offer up a sorry.”

“What for?”

“For attacking my work.”

“I hate to break it to you, Penny, but I think you attacked my work first.”

“Because it’s my fucking job!”

“Everything alright over here?”  Jeff asked, stepping into the conversation. The look of caution on his face told Penny that her conversation with Harry had been overheard by the others at the party.

“We’re fine,” Penny said evenly.

“Yeah, peachy keen,” Harry added, earning a glare from Penny.

“I should actually be going,” Penny said.

“Oh, can’t you stay a little longer?” Jeff asked as Harry muttered “Bye, then.” Jeff cut his eyes over to Harry, who avoided his glance. “Alright then,” he said slowly. “It was nice to meet you, Penny. Hope to see you around.”

“You, too,” Penny said before swiftly leaving the group.

“What was that about?” Jeff asked, attention turned back to Harry.

“I don’t know what you’re referring to.”

“You were a bit, shall we say…dickish…back there?”

“No, I wasn’t.”

“If you say so,” Jeff said. He paused. “Have you read any of her work?”

“I’ve read enough of it.”

“You should honestly read some more. The Moment in general is a really up-and-coming publication. They’ve poached some stellar writers and editors from Billboard and Rolling Stone. And Penny…she’s smart. I think you all would have a lot to talk about.”

Harry glared at Jeff. “What makes you say that?”

“She’s got an interesting perspective. Her reviews always leave me thinking about things in a different way and I can’t say that about many critics.”

“Oh really,” Harry shot back, suddenly combative. “Did you start to reconsider my album after reading her review?”

“Calm down, H,” Jeff said gently. “Your album is a fantastic accomplishment and you know it. And she doesn’t just write criticism, she does cultural pieces as well. Check them out. She was on a podcast last year that you might find interesting.” Jeff pulled out his phone, typing quickly. “Here’s a link. Give it a listen and let me know what you think.”

Harry shot Jeff another glare and drained his cup. “Thanks,” he said dryly. “I’ll move it to the top of the list. See you later,” he called, pushing past his manager.

He tossed his cup into a nearby trash can and combed the room for Tom, offering a wave as he walked out the door. Harry walked slowly down the driveway, feeling the cool night air blow through his hair, relishing the peace. He’d felt a little off all day, but couldn’t put a finger on why, and his encounter with Penny had thrown him even more off balance. He’d been feeling like this a lot recently. Like he didn’t quite fit in alongside the other pieces of his life. He reached his car and unlocked it, sliding inside.

He plugged in his phone and stared out the windshield. Penny. He hadn’t known who she was when he approached her that night. Only that she looked pretty and that the smile she’d worn when he saw her talking to Jeff and Tommy made him want to know more about her. But as the pieces fell into place, it was impossible to look past what she’d done to him two years ago.

He didn’t know why her review had struck such a nerve with him. It wasn’t like his debut had been released to unanimous raves, and after two years of looking back on it, while he was proud of what he’d accomplished, he could see the weak spots in his work and was hoping to improve upon them with his second album. The hurt that lingered was just one of those implacable feelings.

Rolling his neck and feeling it crack, he pulled on his seatbelt and scrolled through his music library looking for something to listen to on the ride home. But after cycling through the entire library twice to no avail, he opened the text Jeffrey had sent him earlier, pressing play on the podcast episode that had been shared with him before turning the key in the ignition. His drive home was long but while he usually grew antsy watching the clock change as he sat bumper to bumper with other drivers, tonight his mind was occupied listening to the discussion echoing through his speakers.

It was an episode from one of Variety’s podcasts last year, shortly after his Forum concerts. Penny was a guest, chatting with the two guys who served as hosts. One of them sounded cool, and the other sounded like someone that he’d like to punch in the face if they ever crossed paths in real life. The episode was about his tour, specifically his shows in Los Angeles. It was weird listening to people talk about him like he was a commodity for consumption, and not like a human, a blatant reminder of why he typically abstained from engaging with anything like this.

Much to his surprise, Penny played the role of his supporter throughout the podcast, jumping to his defense when the Asshole, or whatever his name was, levied harsh words at Harry and his fans. He wouldn’t have expected that based on what she’d previously written. On the track, they shifted topics and Harry’s mind drifted off as the episode played on, ending moments before he arrived at his home. He turned off the car but made no effort to head inside. Instead, he picked up his phone and opened Instagram where he typed in Penny’s name.

Her account popped up right away. He scrolled over her page, unsurprised by what he found. Lots of pictures of concerts, sunsets on the beach, and admittedly delicious looking food. There weren’t many pictures of her but he found one that was relatively recent, posted last Christmas. She was smiling alongside some other women, probably friends based on the caption, and once again he felt something tugging inside of him when he looked at her. Next, he redownloaded the Twitter app, something he swore he would never do, and typed in Penny’s name, skimming through her Tweets. Jeff was right. She was frustratingly and irritatingly smart.

Closing out of Twitter, he navigated back to Instagram, finger hovering over the follow button. He hesitated, but after a minute his finger came down on the icon and it changed from blue to gray.

As he put his phone in his pocket and locked his car, across town Penny’s phone lit up with a notification. She missed the initial alert as she washed her face and pulled on the old college t-shirt she wore to bed most nights, but she finally noticed it when she went to set her alarm: Harry Styles followed you.

What the fuck was he trying to do? After laying into her the way he did at Tom’s house, completely unprovoked, the last thing she wanted to do was interact with him in the virtual world. She deleted the notification, plugged in her phone, and went to sleep.

When Harry woke up the next morning, the first thing he did was check his Instagram notifications. He scrolled past most of them – comments and following alerts from random fans and bots – but among all of the familiar amalgamations of usernames, Penny’s was nowhere to be found.

He laid his phone on his chest and stared at the ceiling. What game was she trying to play with him? And why did he feel so upset? The silence that surrounded him as he laid motionless was so loud.

When he finally found the motivation to get out of bed, he pulled on some jogging shorts and a tank and laced up his sneakers, grabbing headphones on his way out the door. He was hoping that a run might clear his head, but thoughts of Penny from the night before echoed alongside the sound of his feet on the pavement. Clarity hadn’t been found when he reached the five mile point, so he begrudgingly turned around to head home and shower. His mind was still swirling as he got cleaned up, and by the time he was dressed for the day and brewing coffee, he had a plan.

He pulled up his contacts and scrolled until he found the name he was looking for, pacing nervously while the phone rang.

“Hey,” the voice on the other line said. “Is everything OK?”

“Yeah, Tom. Sorry for the early morning call,” Harry said, twisting his fringe around his finger as he continued to do laps around the island. “Are you heading into the office today?”

“Seeing as it’s Saturday, I wasn’t planning on it.”

“Oh, shit,” Harry said, cringing when he took note of the early weekend hour. “I guess I lost track of time.”

“Not a problem,” Tom replied, stifling what seemed to be a yawn. “I’ll be there bright and early on Monday.

“Oh, nice. Would you maybe want to catch up and grab lunch?”

“That would be great, seeing as it’ll have been close to 48 hours since we last caught up,” Tom said a bit facetiously.

Harry said nothing trying to extract his fingers from the knot he’d twisted his fringe into. “Oh, yeah,” he mumbled after a moment.

“H, I’m kidding,” Tom said with a light laugh. “You can always swing by. Would you want to go to the bistro?”

“No, why don’t we pick somewhere more convenient to you. How about Loqui?” Harry suggested naming one of the restaurants that was in the campus that housed both the Full Stop and The Moment offices.

“Uh, yeah that’s fine. I’ll see you then. Have a good weekend, H.”

“You too, Tom.”

Harry hung up the phone and tried to figure out how he’d distract himself until Monday.

***

As Penny sat in her editor’s office Monday morning, she was trying to calculate when her next dental appointment was scheduled for and whether or not she’d be able to add on some x-rays to survey the damage done to her jaw after clenching it as hard as she had that morning.

Darren had finished reviewing her piece over the weekend, and had suggested they review his edits first thing, which wasn't the way she wanted to start the week.

“I think the biggest problem you have here is that this isn’t a story,” he said, scrolling through the copy on his laptop. “You only have one example of this phenomenon if we want to call it that and I honestly don’t think that TikTok is that important to the success of the song. In my professional career, we’ve seen plenty of songs do this. It’s nothing unusual.”

“But you’re missing the point,” Penny said, pushing back. “The whole idea is yes, this hasn’t happened before, but it’s the way forward. This is going to be the new version of Justin Bieber getting discovered on YouTube or Shawn Mendes on Vine.” She could feel herself getting angry and took a breath to calm herself. “You’re always telling us to be ahead of the story and that’s what I’m doing.”

“But this isn’t a story.”

Penny bit the inside of her cheek as she struggled to keep her cool. “OK, then, what do you suggest I do?”

Darren sighed. “Write it up like a regular chart recap and include a couple of lines about how it’s getting close to a record.”

“Because of TikTok?”

“No mention of TikTok. We don’t want to look like we don’t know what we’re talking about.”

“We have a chance to scoop Rolling Stone and Billboard and you’re just ignoring it.”

“Because it’s not a story. End of discussion. I’ve got a meeting to go to.”

Darren stood up and exited the office, leaving Penny stunned and furious. When she’d collected herself, she moved back to her desk in the newsroom. She spun around in her chair, any motivation to work gone.

Editors, specifically Skylar, were constantly telling them to push boundaries and find the stories no one was writing on yet. Unfortunately, they weren’t always on the same page, which led to a great deal of frustration when it came time to file a story. Penny could submit a story thinking it was Pullitzer-worthy, but be left questioning her entire life path after a single round of edits. Almost as if she could sense the tension brewing, Chloe poked her head over top of the divider that separated their desks.

“I think you need coffee. Or a pastry. Or lunch. Basically you just need to not be in this office right now, so we’re going for a walk.”

Penny begrudgingly grabbed her purse and ID and headed towards the exit, close behind Chloe, who was listing off restaurant options.

“Loqui,” Penny eventually said, stopping the list. “I’m in the mood for some spice.”

After walking a few blocks they found themselves at the restaurant, scanning the menu above the cash register. They ordered – a beef plate for Chloe and chicken plate for Penny – and had stood off to the side waiting for their respective numbers to be called, when they were interrupted.

“So we go years without seeing each other and then all of a sudden it’s three times in one week?” Tom called from behind a partition.

“Oh my God,” Penny said, laughing with actual mirth for the first time all day. “What are the odds?”

“Nice to see you again,” Chloe added.

“Are you all dining in?” Tom asked, eyes shifting between the two women.

“Yeah,” Chloe chimed in. “Needed to get out of the office for a little while.”

“I feel that,” Tom replied. “You’re welcome to join us.”

Penny looked at Chloe, who nodded her agreement. Neither woman asked who “us” was.

Their numbers were called and when they’d collected their food they slid into the booth, leaving space around the plate of veggie tacos that had been placed in front of an empty chair.

“How’s your week shaping up?” Chloe asked Tom.

He shrugged. “Mondays are always rough, but it’s all downhill from here.”

“What is management like? Do you have a routine?” Chloe continued. “Like with reporting, there’s a certain cadence with different deadlines and interviews. Is there a similar thing for you all?”

“Sort of. If we’re on tour a lot of people have a routine they like to stick to. When we’re in the office, it’s a little less structured. Depends on what each client is working on.”

Penny kept her eyes on her plate, her thoughts still focused on her earlier conversation with Darren. Eyes on the floor, she saw the white loafers and yellow socks before the face of the man they belonged to.

“You’re out to lunch with Tom?” Penny asked in disbelief when her eyes met Harry’s.

“Yeah. I didn’t think there’d be a problem with that,” he mumbled as he sat in front of the plate.

“I’m Chloe. I don’t think we’ve met,” Chloe interjected helpfully.

“Harry,” Harry returned, extending his hand.

Penny stared daggers at him, but Harry refused to look at her. Penny knew he was observing her though, feeling his eyes burning into her whenever she looked away. Neither of them spoke, leaving Tom and Chloe to fill the silence with banal conversation.

As they chattered on, Penny continued to feel the heat of Harry’s glare on her.

“Can I help you?” she finally snapped.

“What?” he shot back.

“If you have something to say, just fucking say it.”

“I’ve got nothing to say,” he said, spooning some mushrooms and peppers into his mouth.

“Really? Because it looks like you’ve got something on your mind.”

“OK, then,” Harry shot back, putting his spoon down next to his plate. “Why’d you give my album such a shit review?”

“Why do you care?”

“Because I do!”

“That’s a great argument,” Penny said, rolling her eyes.

“Well how about this,” Harry said, turning to face her. “I’m trying to figure out how someone who supposedly loves music and everything it stands for can be such a hater.”

“A hater?” Penny could feel the prickly sensation behind her eyes that meant tears were just moments away. “I’m sorry. The 90s called and they want their slang back.”

“Yeah, all of your reviews are just so…mean. It’s like you forget there’s someone behind that album.”

“Almost like forgetting there’s a person behind the review?”

“Don’t twist my words like that.”

“I’m not. I’m just saying it’s a two way street.”

“All you are is a second-rate journalist who isn’t good enough to work for a legitimate publication, so instead of saying things that actually matter, you just share your shitty takes to try to get Twitter clout.”

Penny could feel her lips tremble, but she was determined to not give Harry the satisfaction of seeing her cry. “You know, it’s generally frowned upon to harass a journalist in a public setting just because you don’t care for what they have to say.” She sniffed and much to her chagrin, she could feel her eyes getting wet. “But now you’ve got me crying in a restaurant so I hope you’re satisfied.” She grabbed her purse, leaving her food nearly untouched on the table. “I’ll see you back at the office, Chloe.”

Chloe and Tom’s eyes followed her as she walked out of the restaurant. Harry kept his eyes locked on his plate.

“I should probably check on her,” Chloe said after a moment.

“That might be for the best,” Tom said. “Let me grab a box. You can take her her food.”

Chloe picked up her own bag and leftovers, balancing them alongside Penny’s. “Wish this could have been longer but…” she trailed off as Tom nodded. She looked at Harry. “I’m not entirely sure what this is about but I’ve never met anyone who loves music more than Penny, so whatever assumptions you have about her, she’s not a ‘hater.’ She’s also not second-rate. She’s fucking brilliant, but maybe you’re just too dumb to see that.” She turned on her heel and walked out of the restaurant.

Harry picked up his spoon and started pushing the remaining vegetables and bits of tortilla around on his plate. The air was heavy with the unspoken questions on Tom’s tongue. “Go ahead and say it,” Harry said after a moment.

“Is there something going on with you?” Tom asked, point blank. “You’ve been kind of moody lately and I’m here if you want to talk.”

Harry looked up at him. “That wasn’t what I was expecting you to say.”

“Oh don’t get me wrong, I’m pissed that you yelled at my friend like that, but whatever issues you all have it’s not my business and I don’t want to get in the middle of it.”

“Sorry,” Harry said, a little more firmly. “I just – I haven’t been feeling great and I’m sure this is just a byproduct of whatever that is.”

“Studio stress?”

“Yeah, that,” Harry said, taking the out he was handed.

“Well, you can always talk to me, man. Just gotta let me know that something’s going on.”

Harry nodded and focused on finishing his lunch.

***

Back in the newsroom, Penny picked at the remnants of her lunch that Chloe had deposited on her desk, refreshing the feeds in her RSS reader while she waited on Darren’s edits. When he Slacked her that he was through, she opened the Google Doc to find that he had completely rewritten it. Ordinarily, she would have fought back, challenging him on everything down to the placement of commas, but she felt too drained after her earlier bout with him and the subsequent battle with Harry.

She signed off on the two rounds of edits as quickly as she could and returned to refreshing her browser.

“Are you ready to talk?” Chloe asked, poking her head over the frosted glass between them.

Penny shrugged. “Not much to discuss. I suck at doing my job. Darren agrees! Harry agrees! So does Walt from who the hell knows! I should just quit while I’m ahead.”

“I’m sorry,” Chloe said. “Who is Walt and how does he factor into this equation?”

“Just some jerk on Twitter who also thinks I can’t write for shit.”

“Fifteen minutes,” Chloe said. “That’s how much time you have left to wallow. After that, you have to get up, look in the mirror, and realize that you are a bad bitch who deserves this job more than anyone.”

“I deserve twenty minutes,” Penny shot back. “But thank you for the words of encouragement. I know I just need to move on, but it’s hard to do that when it feels like this happens every fucking day just because Darren thinks I’m an idiot.”

“I know, Pen, but you just have to hang in there.” Chloe looked around before leaning in closer. “I heard a rumor that Darren’s days are numbered so things may be looking up for you.”

“Seriously?” The long running joke of the newsroom was that Darren had witnessed the CEO of the company hit someone with his car and that’s how he managed to land the job and stay gainfully employed for as long as he had.

“You didn’t hear it from me,” Chloe said, sinking back into her desk chair.

On slow days like this one, Penny typically filled her afternoon with source calls and research for future stories but with her motivation subzero, she made her way to the parking garage at 5pm on the dot, ready for a night of wine, takeout, and Friends reruns.

When she reached her car, she was surprised to find Tom there.

“Hey…” she said slowly.

“Hey, I didn’t want to miss you.”

“Should I be worried?” she asked jokingly. “I run into you after years of silence and a week later you’re waiting for me at my car?”

“I promise I’m not following you,” Tom said with a laugh. “I just had to tell you…I know this means nothing coming from me, but Harry isn’t usually like that.”

Penny sighed. “I don’t care, Tom. It’s been a day and I’d rather just move on to prepare for tomorrow’s battles.”

“I know, but it’s important to me that you know the truth.”

“Trying to make sure I don’t start a nasty rumor about your client?”

“No, just trying to make sure you don’t have the wrong idea about a great guy.”

“Great guy?” Penny’s mouth hung open in disbelief. “Are you trying to set me up with him now? Because I’m not interested.”

“No,” Tom huffed, rolling his eyes. “Although there could be something there…”

“Nope, not happening,” Penny said.

“Seriously,” Tom said, the earnestness returning to his eyes. “Harry’s a good guy and I think under the right circumstances you all would actually get along.”

“Tom, even if we were the last people on Earth tasked with repopulating the planet, I’d rather let the human race go extinct than willingly spend time with Harry Styles.”

“Wow, that’s uh, harsh and vivid,” Tom said, scratching the back of his neck. “You just need to understand that he’s under a lot of pressure with the new album.”

“New album?” That caught Penny’s attention.

“Shit!” Tom exclaimed, realizing the magnitude of what he’d shared. “That’s entirely off the record. I’m serious, Pen!”

“Woodward and Bernstein had Deep Throat telling them government secrets in a garage, and I have Tom Skoglund blabbing album releases next to my decrepit Toyota…does this mean my Pulitzer is on the way.”

“I mean it, Penny. I could get in a lot of trouble.”

“It’s fine, Tom. I’m not going to tell anyone. I’ll see you later.”

Tom nodded and headed back to the Full Stop office as Penny climbed into her car and pulled out of the garage.

Later that night after two glasses of wine and about 10 episodes of Friends, Penny decided to sign into her work email. She told herself that she wouldn’t check work emails off the clock, but she always gave into the temptation. She scrolled past the usual news alerts and reader feedback until one subject line stopped her cold.

“An Apology.”

She opened it before she realized what she was doing.

Hi Penny, the email began

It’s Harry. I’d like to apologize for the way I acted at Tom’s party the other night, as well as what I said in the restaurant earlier today. You’re right – it was entirely inappropriate for me to behave that way, and I’m sincerely sorry for any hurt or hard feelings that may have come about on your end as a result.

I just wanted to get this off my chest and conscience.

Hope your evening is treating you well.

All the best,

Harry

Penny was speechless, staring at her phone as Ross Geller’s cries of “We were on a break!” and the subsequent laugh track echoed in her empty apartment.

Harry had apologized.

When she recovered, her first instinct was to text Tom, attaching a screenshot of the email.

Did you put him up to this? she asked.

No, came Tom’s swift reply. See what I mean though? Not a bad guy.

Penny reread the email once, twice, three times, taking in the way he’d introduced himself, but left off his last name. The way his writing was devoid of exclamation points. The effort finding her address and sending the email entailed.

She doubted he’d got it from Tom, seeing as Tom had no clue about the message, which meant he’d either pulled it from The Moment’s website or her Twitter bio. Either option meant he’d taken the time to look her up, typing her name into the search bar to find her profile. Knowing that Harry had searched for her specifically made her feel some type of way. She wasn’t sure what.

She didn’t like Harry Styles, but maybe he wasn’t as horrible as she thought.

***

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[gakehc]

Cringe Lord

Joel can be so cringe that bothers you a lot but you can't deny that he is hot and he obviously thinks the same about you. Just the two of you alone in the studio can lead you to a naughty game.

♡ Author's note: I saw someone calling Joel "cringe lord" and I had this idea. Not my best work but I decided to post it anyway.

♡ Warnings:  This is a work involving real people but it's 100% fiction writen. Please remember that this is only for fun purposes and it doesn't reflect their real thoughts and behaviors. Don't take this work too serious. +18 only. Oral sex (m and f); dirty talk.

♡ Characters: Joel Hokka × fem reader

♡ Words: 1.956

♡ MASTERLIST HERE.

You run through the sidewalk avoiding bumping into people as you try to get to the studio as fast as you can. You are already late – one hour to be exact – so you don't want to make the boys wait even more for you. Niko and Joonas thought that it would be a good idea if you could help with the backing vocals for the next Blind Channel album since – according to them – you have a beautiful voice. You never really sang something professionally, just on drunk karaoke nights or Instagram stories so you are a little bit nervous; you would hate to do a bad job and disappoint your friends.

When you finally arrive you find it strange to hear only silence since the boys are always talking loud and laughing. Soon you realize that you are almost alone, the only one here besides you is Joel. He is sitting on the couch with his cellphone in hands, trying to take a good selfie or something like that. You hold a laugh when he starts to film something that probably is for his Tiktok account.

“Hey cringe lord” you say, making him jump in fright.

“Shit!” He says, dropping his phone on the center table.

“Don't stop because of me, please. I was having fun watching you being so ridiculous” you drop your purse at the table, sitting on his side on the couch.

He just rolls his eyes as he keeps recording himself. You two don't get along very well, you think Joel is kinda boring; always trying to be the vampire prince of darkness like Ville Valo or something. It makes you want to puke. On his side, he doesn't have enough patience for you because he thinks you are too nice – or miss perfect, like he always calls you.

“Where are the rest of the boys?” You ask.

“They got tired and hungry so they decided to go buy some food… You know that it's really bad when people have to wait hours for someone” he says, his eyes still locked on the cellphone screen.

“I got stuck at work. I'm sorry to make the other guys wait. About you… well, I'm not sorry” you give him a grin “What are you doing?”.

You grab the phone from his hands, reading the title of the filter he was trying on: Your love story in 2024. A loud laugh comes from your mouth and you try to hold but the idea of Joel caring about this kind of stuff sounds like a joke to you – even though he is just having fun.

“That's so pathetic!” You roll his eyes.

“I don't fucking care”.

He presses the button and starts to record, and soon the result appears: enemy to lovers. He tries to hide the result from you but your eyes already caught everything. A heath grows in your stomach just to think about the possibility of things changing between you and Joel. Yes, he is very – very – attractive and it would be nice to kiss him if he wasn't such a dumbass.

“Impossible” you say.

“Why? Are you the only enemy I have in my life?”.

“Well… if you are open to a relationship with those jerks from record labels who tried to take advantage from the band, I think I am the only one who would fit in this enemy to lovers type of shit. The other girls would kill to suck you small dick”.

“You don't know shit and it's not small”.

“Yeah, right!” You sound sarcastic.

“I bet I would make you choke on my cock with such an ease”.

“It's good for you to have such high self esteem but please you need limits. And I bet you couldn't make me cum even if your life depends on it”.

“Oh I know I could… give me five minutes and I will prove it to you”.

You laugh again but the idea doesn't sound bad to you. It would be nice to see how good mr. cringe lord can be and that doesn't mean you need to show him that you – maybe – are enjoying. Taking him by surprise, you pin him against the couch and straddle his lap. His blue eyes show desperation as he is still trying to figure out what to do with his hands.

“What is this?” He ask.

“You asked for five minutes. Show me what you can do”.

You can see his chest going up and down with the rhythm of his heart that is certainly beating really fast. He stares at your lip before finally kissing you, your mouth immediately open for his tongue to enter. He tastes good like mint drops or something, feels freshening. Joel is not as wild as you thought he would be, maybe he is a little afraid of pushing your limits. His big hands roam through your back, entering above your shit and touching your skin, making you shiver from head to toe. You lift your arms so he can take your shit off and so he does, taking his own shirt right after. The scar next to his shoulder steals your attention and you lick it, making sure to look deep into his eyes and smile.

“Fucking whore” he gruns, bitting his lower lip.

“And you're boring. I can't believe I am still wearing my bra”.

Joel finally opens your bra and tosses it to the other side of the room. He bites your nipple carefully, making you feel a soft pain that takes a moan from you, which makes him smirk. His hand is so big that he can hold your boob entirely and squeeze roughly, his fingers playing with your nipple.

“You're not impressing me” you tease him.

He rolls you and makes you lay on your back, taking off your shoes and jeans. He laughs to see that your underwear is wet, proving that he has impacted you. He pushes the fabric to the side, revealing your soaking wet folds. He inserts two fingers inside of you without warning, hooking them until he finds the spongy spot that surely will make you cum.

“Hm… you're smart” you say, noticing how quick he can find your sweet spot.

He takes his finger in and out but what makes it almost impossible for you to hold your moans is when his tongue touches your clit. He licks you right there when you need the most, fast and intensely, taking you by surprise on how fast you are feeling your orgasm growing. It's almost impossible to hide the fact that your clit is throbbing, Joel is probably feeling on his tongue, but you try to put on your best bored face because you would never admit that he is making you cum so fast. You can feel him smiling while he sucks your folds non stop, deep inside he is enjoying finally tasting you. He can act like he hates you but the fact it's that he always thought about eating you out. His big nose all smeared with your juices is such a nice scene for you.

You bite your lower lip when you feel your apex taking control, trying not to show any emotion but Joel notices that your back is contracting and your legs are shaking involuntarily. He grins sensually, feeling satisfied to know that he was right: your orgasm took less than five minutes to come.

“It seems that I was right” he says.

“Maybe. You also said that I would choke in your cock. I doubt that”.

He gets on his knees on the couch and unbutton his pants, your eyes shining as you watch his bulge getting bigger inside his underwear. It doesn't seem to be small at all. He pulls down his underwear, his cock free and hard as a rock, precum leaking and making your mouth water. It's not that thick but it's definitely long and can easily reach your throat. You lean towards his crotch, looking in his eyes before taking your tongue out and leaving a small lick at the tip of his cock. He seems nervous – maybe desperate to feel your pretty lips around him. He holds your head and pushes against his cock, making you suck the whole thing, the tip touching the deepest part of your mouth. You close your eyes and try not to cough as he pulls it in and off, fucking your mouth slowly. Joel is enjoying seeing you struggling to suck him, your eyes already watering. You try to breathe with your nose while he quickens the pace, even though it's hard to have everything in your mouth you are enjoying. Soon, you hold his shaft with your hands and then go slow to play with his balls. That's a clear sign that you are having fun.

“Look at you… you are enjoying it, aren't you?” He says, his voice sounding almost like a groan.

You roll your eyes but you keep going, Joel doesn't even need to move his hips anymore. Saliva starts to drip down your chin and you know you probably look like a total mess.

“What if the boys see you here sucking me like the whore you are?” He asks.

His words turn you on even more and you wish you could feel him inside of you but it would be too risky – the door is unlocked, the boys could enter at any minute. You feel the rush making your heart beat faster, Joel cursing and groaning as he feels that he is about to cum.

“Fuck, I'm gonna cum…” he closes his eyes with pleasure.

“Fill my mouth, then” you only take his cock out from your mouth to say those words.

Joel's moans are extremely sexy when he reaches his orgasm, the warm liquid reaching your throat as you swallow everything quickly. He puts his underwear and pants back as you do the same with your jeans and your shirt. You see your face on your cell phone screen and your face is smeared in saliva and melted mascara. You quickly wipe it with a tissue that you always carry on your bag, looking normal again. Soon, you hear the voices from the other guys: they are finally here. Joel smirks as he thinks about how lucky you are because he finished on time for you to not get caught.

“About what happened…” he says.

“We will finish this later, at my apartment”.

Your answer takes him by surprise. He didn't expect you to want to be with him again and it seems that you have plans.

“Let's see if your cock is good inside my pussy” you say, without looking at him as you wait for the door to open.

Finally, you see Niko, Joonas and Aleksi entering the door. They are happy to see you as they carry some paper bags with food.

“Hey! You're here!” Joonas says “Sorry to make you spend time with Joel”.

“Not a big deal. Actually, I was pretty late so I am the one who needs to apologize”.

“That's ok”.

“Joonas?” Niko asks “Is that your bra?” He lifts the bra that he found next to the door.

“That's not mine, dude! I like to let my beautiful tits free”.

“Aleksi?”.

“Nope. Not mine” Aleksi laughs.

The three boys look at you and Joel, waiting for an answer.

“Well… it's mine” Joel says, taking the piece from Niko's hand.

“Yeah, I see…”.

You feel your face getting red. How could you forget your bra? Now it's clear to everyone that something naughty happened here but the boys are nice enough to not talk about it and make you feel ashamed.

“Mystery solved. Now let's work”.

#blind channel fanfiction #blind channel #joel hokka

[toomuchracket]

thinking birthday party girlie would talk so much shit/silly shitpost (like mattys) on the grammys after bfiafl robbery. whether before or after they start dating like she makes her thoughts Known.

you're dating by this point but i def think you supported the boys re. grammys beforehand too - when gyat was nominated a few years ago, you posted a congratulatory message on your story like "glad to see i'm not the only person recognising my best friend's genius anymore. proud of u, legend", and matty gets all giggly in the studio when he looks at it lol. anyway, back to present day. you get a bit shady with it, actually, and repost the album nominations infographic like "weird, the album i want to win doesn't seem to be listed, for some reason... boygenius or lana to take it, then, imo. unless this is just a misprint (and i really hope it is tbh)". matty smiles and thanks you when he sees it, and gives you a massive hug, but he's like "you might get some flack for that, babe, just to say"; you shrug and say "couldn't not say something about it, matty. it's your best writing yet. it deserves awards!", and he's like "means a lot to hear you say that, darling. i'll take your praise of my writing over a grammy any day. but a nomination would've been nice, yeah". happily, he does cheer up later that night - some rat dms you on insta like "funny how you only started protesting their lack of nominations when an album written partially about you got fuck all. narcissistic bitch", and you screenshot it and post it to stories like "i mean there are songs about me on every album except self titled, sweetie, but sure yeah ok believe whatever you like. while you do that, i'll just mourn the lack of nomination for the band's best writing and sense of cohesion and production and performance to date in peace" and then add another text box like "and this is all i'm saying on the matter. anyway, like i said, lana or boygenius to win instead x". your boyfriend laughs in slight shock when he first reads it, and then he cannot stop beaming; he's like "that's such a fucking good response. i love when you get all smart and confrontational on my behalf like that, sweetheart. s'hot" lol. he is such a BOY. cute tho <3

#mads answers asks #matty asks #fluff asks #into the birthday partyverse

[spicysix]

「eddie munson X gn!reader • roadtrip!AU」

2.7k words | prev | next | masterlist | ao3 warnings: trauma bonding! mentions of violence, of torture and of near-death experiences. also, they're both kinda in a bad mood. a nightmare will do that to ya songs of the chapter: ambrosia - carole king • move on - david bowie • i wanna be somebody (and the entire self titled album) - W.A.S.P.

Friday, July 25

Eddie Munson was a hard-headed prick.

Not completely, no, you’d find out already he could be convinced at some point, but it took a while. And you figured the morning after your night in Sioux Falls that he was actually being really nice until then. Because on topics that were more important to him, the man was tougher to break than a brick wall.

One of those topics? His van.

Because Eddie’s back was still not completely recovered from the night he’d spent on the front bench of the van, and because of his nightmare that had kinda ruined his night, you told him you should drive the van to your next stop so he could get some more rest.

And, oh boy, was he relentless about that.

He wasn’t like Steve and the Bimmer, it wasn’t about jealousy or fear of you breaking something or getting something dirty. No, it had to do with the mechanics.

You had both woken up early, thankfully, for he had spent almost an entire hour speeching and groaning and basically throwing a tantrum about how the van was old, bratty, difficult, damaged, faulty. And how the van needed certain specific things to engage, to accelerate, to break, to park. And how the van had tricks and wiles and gimmicks to work.

You heard it all silently, nodding, not doubting him for a second even though his dramatics were off the charts. Only after his show was over and he had thoroughly explained everything about the van’s problems more than once, only then you asked him to show you, and if you could try. He showed you, also complaining the whole time, and then you tried.

And managed it just fine.

“Shouldn’t doubt my expertise, Eddie,” you winked at him — your grandma would call you smug — and he grimaced with a blush to his ears while you left the parking lot you were practicing on and headed for the road. You were cackling the whole time.

You took the I-90 and headed east, as Eddie had been doing since Chicago — on purpose or not, you didn’t know. Leaving the prairies behind and welcoming the great plains’ monotony, the beauty of the Missouri River once you crossed it again, the sun high and almost oppressive above you.

You were still a little tired yourself, but Eddie let you choose the music once again, bobbed his head to Bowie’s voice and hid a wide grin behind his hand as he stared at the window’s landscape, took a nap after two or three songs, and it was all right.

── ⇌ • ○ • ⇋ ──

“You ever been to Yellowstone?” he asked, reading a pamphlet while you gathered some food supplies into your basket.

You had stopped around midday in a town right by the border to Wyoming for a bathroom break and to get some snacks for lunch and for the rest of the road. The mid-summer brought its peak, and so the little town was unusually full of people going and coming from all kinds of nature adventures and travels.

“Do I look like someone who has ever been to Yellowstone National Park on a family vay-cay, Eddie?” you answered without sparing him a look, an abnormal tone of sarcasm in your voice because, yeah, maybe family vay-cays were a triggering topic to you. And you were a little hungry, which in turn got you a little over-annoyed.

Eddie didn’t know any of that, though, and you instantly regretted the way you said it.

“I don’t know you very well, sweetie,” he retorted just as ironically, the nickname raised in pure poison, and it hurt more than you cared to think about in depth. “All I know is that you’ve probably worked at every single retail job in Hawkins, that you go to mine’s to buy… stuff every four months or so without much small talk, that you, Harrington and Buckley are glued at the hip and that we’ve stopped the world from ending together. Nothing else.”

You stopped your strolling through the market’s aisle and turned to him, sighing.

“I’m sorry, Eddie, that wasn’t nice of me. No, I’ve never been to Yellowstone. I’d really like to, though.”

He seemed to be caught off-guard by your sudden sincerity and stuttered some words that he couldn’t completely form.

“And I’m sorry if I never stopped for a conversation when I went to buy stuff from you. I should have.” You took a step further, getting closer to him, and he looked truly startled. Was he really this unfamiliar with apologies?

“Yeah, no, I-” He closed his eyes and sighed loudly, “You’re alright. I was just thinking about it…” He went back to the initial topic, maybe not wanting to linger on the emotional aspect of the conversation since he’d been enough emotionally vulnerable the night before, and waved the pamphlet about tourist spots in Wyoming right in your face.

You caught the pamphlet in your hands, handing Eddie the shopping basket for him to hold instead, and examined it. You went through its pages quickly but with enough attention to catch the most important pieces of information.

“We could give it a call and see if we can make a reservation? It’s unlikely since we’re in high season, but we can give it a try?” you asked, looking at him again and he was still looking at you as if you were a hard puzzle to solve.

He cleaned his throat, “Yeah, sure, we can do that.”

“Not like we have anywhere specific to be or a deadline to meet, right?” You winked, handed him the pamphlet and took the basket back, continuing on your shopping spree, back with your enthusiasm. “We gotta stop by the camping supply store!”

His laugh reverberated through the isle and into a little warm space between your ribs as he went after you with a muttered ‘Fucking Yellowstone, man’ under his breath; following your plans once again, giving you his trust so openly, and you wondered if you even deserved it. Probably not, but you’d take it either way.

── ⇌ • ○ • ⇋ ──

Everything fell into place perfectly in a summer miracle as you used a payphone to call the reservations number for a camping ground on Grant Village, a last-minute cancellation from a couple that had given you and Eddie the opportunity of a lifetime — you were also able to make a reservation for dinner on the Grant Village Dining Room for your first night. And as it seemed, the entirety of South Dakota’s population had decided to go camping all at once and left you and Eddie the final tent to buy at the store. You also bought other basic camping supplies that you didn’t have and deemed important. That government hush money was making itself very useful.

Eddie assured you he was fine to drive and so he took the wheel for the rest of your trip for that day — it was too early to stop yet, but Yellowstone was too far away still, so you’d find another place to spend another night. Your reservation in the National Park also didn’t start until the next day, so you’d have to wait anyway.

You were once again delegated to co-pilot duties, reading the map and giving Eddie directions. You also picked a tape of his own for the soundtrack this time.

Not even an hour in, something caught your eye on the map in your hands. “Eddie, what do you think about a lake day?” He chuckled and shrugged in response. “Look, there’s a lake less than ten miles from here.”

“Let’s go, then.” He didn’t take his eyes off the road to check where you were pointing at the map, just followed your instructions.

You drove for just a little while until you reached an exit with a plaque that read ‘Pine Haven’. In about 20 minutes, after a few more turns, some decision-making about which way to go, and the payment of a fee for entering the State Park, you were the closest you could get to the lake, in what looked like a growing little town with a few houses built. Eddie parked the van a little further away from the road and you both left it, you stretching your arms and legs as he went around to meet you on your side.

A man approached you, introduced himself as Coop, pointed at his house — told you to knock if you needed anything — and then pointed to the best way to the lake (actually a reservoir). He told you all about the region, the State Park, the reservoir, his family; and you and Eddie were enchanted by his hospitality, the fact that he barely batted an eye about the weird combination that the two of you were. So when he invited you to stop by later for a shower and dinner, you didn’t hesitate to say yes.

After that, you and Eddie changed clothes to more appropriate ones in the back of the van and walked a few more minutes until you were finally facing the reservoir waters. Eddie found the nearest tree and rested under its shadow in no time, taking his notebook and a pack of cigarettes from his jeans pocket. You came to leave your supplies by his side and looked around. There were a few families, not many, it was very quiet and you were glad. On the other margin, though, you could see a few more people — Coop had told you the roads were more accessible and the state park was first established there, making it more popular. But you liked that you were on a more recluse part of the reservoir.

You stripped to the top and sports shorts you had changed into — intuitively, subconsciously, somehow you had brought many useful clothes so far —  and covered yourself in sunscreen. Eddie had sunglasses on and seemed to be invested in whatever he was scribing in his notebook, but you felt his eyes burning on you from time to time as you turned your back to him. It made you smile for some reason (your grandma would call it wishful thinking).

He was still wearing dark jeans, they seemed more ripped, but less tight than the ones you had seen him using before, and so he rolled the hems up, took off his Reeboks, and buried his feet in the rocky sand. On his torso, he had a white tank — a surprisingly bright color, but you guessed an all-black look would make it unbearably hot for him. The scars on his neck that went up the left side of his jaw to his cheek were pink in the sunlight, but he didn’t seem to mind showing them off.

You approached him and offered the sunscreen: “You should take care of those battle scars, Eddie. They’ll likely be more sensible.”

He looked up at you, eyes still hidden behind the sunglasses (unfortunately, for he had pretty eyes you’d like to be seeing) but he accepted your offer and protected his scars and uncovered arms.

“How come you don’t have any battle scars yourself, soldier?” he asked, still spreading cream while you stretched your limbs.

“Mine are just covered.” You pulled up the hem of your shorts on your left leg and showed him the bite marks you had received from the bats on your first encounter with them when you all went after Steve into Lovers Lake. Turned around and pulled the fabric of your top that covered the bites on your right shoulder blade as well. “I was the one who got Dustin and Erica out back in Starcourt, so. No Russian torture for me as well, luckily.”

You draped a towel on the sand and lied down on it, ready to catch a tan. Your sun marks wouldn’t look pretty, but you weren’t so worried about that.

“If you hadn’t cut the rope, maybe we would be matching,” you said finally, before closing your eyes and enjoying the burning on your skin.

Eddie didn’t answer you. You didn’t intend for it to come out in a mean way, but maybe that’s how he interpreted it. And maybe you weren’t sorry for that — he could use a little snarl.

You were on his team with Dustin in the final battle. You were there because you had been able to protect Dustin once before, and you were trusted to do it again.

Which you did. You kept Dustin safe.

But you couldn’t keep Eddie safe, because he had cut the rope made of sheets after you fell through the portal, and left you and Dustin in the Rightside Up as he went back and faced those demonic bats all by himself in the Upside Down. If he hadn’t acted so impulsively, maybe you could have gone with him. Maybe the two of you would have been a more fair fight against the swarm of bats. Maybe he wouldn’t have almost died, maybe you wouldn’t have to see Dustin crying over his limp bloody body, maybe you wouldn’t have your own nightmares about that night.

You tried not to dwell on it.

You tried not to blame Eddie for it.

You tried not to blame yourself for it.

“You slept on my bed last night?” he chose to ask after a little while in silence, his voice a little shaky, and you bit your lip to stop your own eyes from tearing up before answering. You didn’t like talking about it, and maybe neither did he.

“No, I waited until you slept and went back to mine.”

You left out the part that you watched him sleep for hours, he didn’t need to know. You didn’t need to scare him like that. To make him aware that you were afraid he would stop breathing at any second, that his skin would go cold and his heart would stop beating. Like it had happened before.

No, he didn’t need to know that his worse nightmare was the same as your own.

He made a noise in acknowledgment and you took a deep breath and focused on the sun kissing your skin and the laughter of the kids playing in the water a few feet away. He focused on whatever he was doing, and you kept it to yourselves whatever was plaguing your thoughts. The air was crisp with tension, and you hated it, but you tuned it out. You could talk about it later.

── ⇌ • ○ • ⇋ ──

You didn’t talk about it later.

You didn’t talk about how neither of you dared to go diving in the lake, how you lingered on the margins, only going as further as to where the water reached your knees.

You didn’t talk about how Eddie didn’t take off his tank top.

You didn’t talk about how a couple walked past the two of you and stared too openly and too rudely at Eddie’s facial scars.

You didn’t talk about how you asked just as rudely what the hell they were staring at. But he smiled gratefully at you for it.

You didn’t have to talk about it. You knew how each other felt.

So he dragged you to a more hidden part among the trees and shared a joint with you. You laughed about nonsense together and went back to Coop’s house still giggling. You shared a towel for your showers because Betty (Coop’s wife) only had one to spare and you didn’t mind. You shared a couch during dinner because the table was already filled with Coop’s family and some other welcomed tourists, and you both received tight hugs from Betty before you went back to the van for the night.

You thought it best not to take the tent out of its package, both of you too high and afraid you wouldn’t be able to put it back later — and forgetting about the entirely available back of the van. Oh, well.

You both agreed to sleep on the same mattress, as much space between you as possible, backs turned to each other. After what felt like enough time, after you noticed that he was already asleep, you turned slowly not to wake him and stared at his back for a while. The repetitive movement of his muscles was soothing, and you matched your breath to his. The warmth of his skin still radiated and reached you somehow, even with the distance still fairly big between you two. And his calm, even breathing rhythm scared away your fears.

None of you had bad dreams that night.

end notes: i've made way too much research about this area of Wyoming for this chapter. Pine Haven was actually only Incorporated as a town by december of '86. I have no idea how the town looked months before that, so I didn't describe it a lot, made it vague on purpose. fun fact: Coop is the actual name of the guy who, alongside his wife Betty, founded Pine Haven back in the 50s - at least that’s what the town’s official website told me lmao. i obviously have no idea if they were actually this nice, but i wanted them to be a very wholesome and welcoming couple for the sake of the fic. also! let's suspend our disbelief, i know the chances of them being able to get a last minute reservation on what's probably the most popular national park in the US was very unlikely if not completely impossible. but everything is doable in a fic-world, right? right. to yellowstone we go, then

taglist (is open!): @amira0303 @rupsmorge @wyverntatty

#eddie munson x reader #eddie munson #eddie munson fanfic #eddie munson fic #eddie munson fluff #stranger things fanfic #stranger things fic #eddie munson x you #eddie munson x y/n #lui writes #ifligh

[abiiors]

ive been reading thru your whole master list and the matty imagine w the baby onesie made me think ab how any/all of the boys would react if you brought your baby to a show or an album release party in a onesie w the box on it😭

oh this is so so cute!! 🥹

judging by the new yorker article where matty talked about how when baby hann is backstage, the greenroom turns into a creche and how everything is a super family-friendly environment, i would say it's the exact same for when your baby's there.

she's about seven months old and quite chatty, in that she babbles and makes grabby hands and anyone who so much as even says one word to her. and you decided her first show should be the reading self-titled 10 year anniversary show, complete with her own little self-titled merch onesie that she looks absolutely adorable it. she has a little black bow on her head to match it. in short, you've got your own lil emo baby to match her dad.

matty is of course the first one to see it when you get her ready, instantly cooing at her and admiring her. he hasn't stopped cuddling her honestly and if it weren't for him having to strap her into her baby seat for the car ride, you suspect she would have been attached to him for the entirety of it. apart from matty, george is the first one to see it because he's right there outside, sneaking a quick cig before he has to go in but you've never seen this man put out a cig this fast before as he practically runs towards matty to get a proper look at her. he barely has the patience till matty gets her out of the car seat and hands her over to him. and you watch your tiny tiny baby wrap this giant of a man around her little finger while he bounces her around and compliments her every two seconds like "look at you, all ready to rock and roll aren't you?" and "the cutest member of the band ever!" she giggles when he blows a raspberry on her tummy and tries to grab a few of his shiny necklaces.

all in all, it's uncle george who carries her inside where everyone else is chilling and getting ready for the show. and you know once the rest of them see her, she's going to be passed around from one set of arms to the other like a lil parcel until everyone is done cooing over her and telling her that she's the cutest baby ever. you're also quite happy about the fact that she's wide awake and hopefully, she will be throughout the set even though you only plan on watching the show with her on one of the screens backstage since the lights and loud sounds might be too scary for her just yet. and she's too small to have a fitted pair of headphones 😭

anyway, once all her uncles and aunties are ready for the show, you take a few quick photos--one where she's sat on matty's shoulders, the box nicely visible on her torso, and surrounded by everyone also in black. absolutely adorable <3

#asks #blurb asks #matty healy blurb #dad!matty #matty healy #the 1975 #ross macdonald #george daniel #adam hann

[lesbiansloveseokjin]

day 239/548 of seokjin’s military service

this selca was posted on 151204, Jin's 23rd birthday, with the caption:

Ate lobster that can only be eaten on birthday !! Everyone please eat deliciously !! 

(trans cr: Mary @ bts-trans)

jin posted a cover of the song "i love you" that day, and made this post:

Hello, I’m Jin.  I’ve uploaded a cover again after a while.  I wanted to upload a song cover again on a good day It feels really good that you guys are able to listen to my voice on my birthday like this.  I wanted you guys to listen to my voice on my birthday so I prepared from a really long time ago.  It was difficult because I was preparing for the album at the same time but I wanted you guys to listen to an even better song on a good day and tell you guys how I feel so I stayed up and worked really hard. It’d be nice if you listened to it well. I covered the song “I love you” this time and it’s a song that I really liked since I was a trainee When I listened to it, it’s a song that I felt really touched by but I thought, for my birthday this time, about what kind of song would be good for the fans to listen to on my birthday I thought, there’s no other song that can express how I feel towards ARMYs than this song Usually, I like the words “I like you” better but today, I wanted to say I love you guys It’d be nice if my love for ARMYs will be conveyed well just like the song title Thank you for always watching over me and liking me and I love you.  - Jin

(trans cr: Mary @ bts-trans)

bangtan bombs filmed that day:

[#BangtanBomb] Gobblegobblegobble Jimin's self cam! What do you think the members are up to right now? #JiminWhoListensWellToSugaHyung; #JiminWhoDoesNotCareAboutAngles #RealJiminBank;

(trans cr: Rebecca @ bts-trans)

RUN performance from that day:

lastly, here are the boys' tweets celebrating jin for his birthday that day (all trans credits to Mary @ bts-trans)

What crime have I committed #SugaYa #HappyBdayJinHyung #InBrazil #ThisHyung’sPhiltrumWasTheProblem

#HappyBdayJinHyung -RM

I’m sorry so here’s another one - RM

#HappyBdayJinHyung The first star is J-hope. Hyung is forever an opposite extreme (person). N(orth) pole S(outh) pole

(T/N: Meaning he can either be to this end of extremity or the complete opposite end of extremity)

Jin hyung’s philtrum was a drawing paper Hyung, I love you a lot #JIMIN #HappyBdayJinHyung 

Jin who’s cooking #HappyBdayJinHyung #TaehyungAhILoveYou

A flower boy from the morning #HappyBdayJinHyung

#THE PICS NAMGIMIN POSTED KAJZHLGERKJHTR #also..... tae...... was that rly necessaruy #seokjin #ot7 #jin military countdown #seokjin 23 #trackofthesoul #151204 #run by bts #on stage #bangtan bomb #Youtube #this post is so fucking long (and i couldve added more) but i didn't wanna leave out the performance or bbombs or member tweets so 🫠

[musicthatyoucandanceto]

robin’s opinions about sparks albums 1971-1979

because I wanted to review them like I’ve seen a lot of people do, but I am simply not strong enough to rank them by how much I like them (I love them all dearly). these are all my opinions so please don’t come at me 😇

Self-Titled (1971) (I often wonder how they came up with such genius stuff as their first album, but then again, it’s the Maels and of course they did) Bops: SLOWBOAT!!! 💞💖💗, Saccharin and the War, High C (and many more…)

Flops: Biology 2 :| it's fun sometimes but I usually skip it (as many people do). Sorry not sorry Earle Mankey 🫢

A Woofer in Tweeter’s Clothing (1972)

Bops: Girl 👏 from 👏 Germany 👏 (far beyond the rest of the album imo), Whippings and Apologies

Flops: The Louvre (it’s actually ok but I never feel like I need to listen to it), Batteries Not Included 👎

KIMONO MY HOUSE (1974)!!!!! MY BESTIE!!!!

Bops: Amateur Hour (this is everyone’s favorite but it’s the best song I have ever heard in my life), Barbecutie, Talent is an Asset, and more!

Flops: literally none this is a no skip album. Sometimes Here in Heaven can be a little grating but I never let myself skip it (out of loyalty) 💪

Propaganda (1974)

Bops: B.C. (I am a HUGE B.C. enjoyer), Something for the Girl with Everything, Marry Me, and bonus points to Propaganda because it's cool

Flops: ummm Who Don't Like Kids I guess? or Achoo? but both of those are actually really good, they just have annoying endings so I don't think they count

Indiscreet (1975) << LOVE her

Bops: Looks, Looks, Looks!!! (SLAYS SO HARD), Hospitality on Parade, How Are You Getting Home/Happy Hunting Ground/The Wedding of Jacqueline Kennedy to Russell Mael/Get In The Swing/Under The Table With Her

damn I didn't know I liked Indiscreet this much

Flops: Indiscreet is OOPS ALL BANGERS!!! No flops here :)

Big Beat (1976) ok if I thought I loved Indiscreet I REALLY love Big Beat. It was the first Sparks album I liked and it gets a lot of hate but it's my good time boy

Bops: Confusion!!! Screwed Up!!! I Like Girls!!! (The amount of exclamation points in this post is getting appalling‼️)

Flops: White Women I guess?? It's my least favorite but it's still very well produced in terms of music, I just get squeamish about the lyrics (which is funny bc I'm fine with Throw Her Away And Get A New One). I know the song is ironic but still........

Introducing Sparks (1977) (also my good time boy)

Bops: I looooove Occupation, Forever Young, and Over the Summer and those are just the ones I would rank 10 out of 10!!! There are a lot of other ones that are also fabulous

Flops: Those Mysteries .... I know a lot of people like it but it just does not hit for me. I'm not a huge fan of I'm Not either but it's still a solid 7 out of 10

NUMBER ONE IN HEAVEN (1979)! aka number one in my heart!! ok maybe number three but no one's forcing me to rank them

Bops: La Dolce Vita, Beat the Clock, The Number One Song in Heaven...... but I hate picking favorites.....

Flops: my other voice 😶 it's good but the rest of the album is incredible, show stopping, fantastic, amazing, and other adjectives that describe how my mind was blown when I first listened to it. I think My Other Voice is nice as a lead up to The Number One Song in Heaven but it is my least favorite on the album

#sparks #my 'sparks opinions' tag #this is part one of… five maybe? #(update it's 4) #too many exclamation points

[smolwritingchick]

The Bangtan Gal Chapter 14- Look Forward To White Day

Chapter Summary: BTS and Jen are interviewed about their new album, Skool Luv Affair. Jen gets caught in the K-Pop news after getting filmed doing something in public. She celebrates Valentine's Day and J-Hope's birthday with BTS

Words: 6,000+

Genre: FLUFF!

A/N: I am so sorry for the lack of gifs. Before hand I had so many for these chapters. Including for the performances but now I don't have them anymore.

------

With fans outside in their jackets taking a bunch of photos and videos with their cameras, BTS were sitting in the studio of Wide News with the two MCs. Jen sat in between V and Suga in the back row.

"It's D-1 to Valentine's right? We've fulfilled nationwide teenage girls' and boys' wishes in advance!" The MCs greet. "With flowery visuals, we're here with the 7 boys and our lovely lady of BTS, hello!"

"2, 3, bang-tan!" Rapmon quickly announced.

"Hello, we're BTS!" They greet and bow.

"You've become more impacting really how long has it been?" The female MC questioned

"4 months?" Rapmon answered

"It's been 4 months?" The MCs look on in surprise. "It feels as though it's been 4 years! We missed you all so much. Since our viewers have missed you guys a lot as well, please do your self-introductions individually!"

The guys all turned to Jennie as she smiled and brought her mic to her mouth. "Hey, it's your girl, Jennie! Miss Bangtan with the most adorable smiles in the group." She threw a peace sign.

"Jennie, what are your plans for Valentine's Day?" The male MC asked with a smile.

"Do you have a date? Is there something we should know? Who is he? What time is he picking you up? Is he treating you nicely?" Jin bombarded her with questions, earning laughter in response from everyone.

"No, no date. I'm not quite ready for dating." She shook her head.

"Good answer. We must protect our munchkin at all costs!" J-Hope shouted, earning some chuckles.

"You guys are very protective of Miss Bangtan, aren't you?" The male MC watched on.

"Yes, we are. I hope she lets us know when she does get a boyfriend." Rapmon answered.

"Yeah, I want to personally introduce myself to whoever the lucky guy is." Jimin cracked his knuckles.

"Oh dear..." She giggled nervously.

"Jennie is very lucky to have guys like you around. This is really cute. So Jennie, please tell us your plans for Valentine's Day." The female MC beamed

"Ah, right. Okay, so I found out about White Day and Valentine's Day here in South Korea. So I'm excited to give the guys a little something special. I hope they look forward to it." She answered.

"Ooh, what is it!?" V eagerly asked

"Yeah, I wanna know!" Jimin added

"It's a surprise! She can't tell you guys, now!" The male MC playfully scolded

"Whatever it is, we'll make sure to do something bigger, on White Day for you." Suga guaranteed

"Can't wait." She replied as they continued with the introductions.

"It's been about five months since you were last here, right? When you were here at Open Studio for the first time, do you perhaps remember the goals that you talked about, last time?" The male MC asked.

"We mentioned hoping to get the Best New Artist award," Rapmon answered

"And how did that turn out?"

"It's a great honor that we've actually received four Best New Artist awards."

"Wow, congratulations on this." He applauded with everyone. "Bangtan achieved their goal!"

"Now since it's your first comeback album after your Best New Artist awards, the anticipations must have escalated! Let's have you introduce your album, please." The female MC gestured.

"With our title track, Boy In Luv, it's an album titled Skool Luv Affair. It's our second mini album and all the members have individually participated in the production. It's an album that discusses the love stories that go on among the teens." Rapmon explained

"In our previous album, we participated in the lyrics writing and track composing. And in this album, we have Suga hyung who personally produced 2 tracks." Jungkook said as a chorus of oohs and whoas were heard while Suga happily raised his hand.

"From what I know, there's Bang Sihyuk-ssi in your company. Suga-ssi, you managed to do that?" The male MC asked in awe.

"Tracks that I produced during my trainee times having made into our album it's really-it's such an honor and right now as well I'm shaking," Suga answered, feeling humbled.

"I know how that feels. There are really skillful and cool people above in the management but when our members do it themselves, there's really no words to describe but I like it to death!" The male MC pointed out. "Do introduce us to the title and subjects of those tracks!"

"The tracks I've produced are titled 'JUMP' and 'Tomorrow'. JUMP is a rather upbeat hip hop track while Tomorrow is a healing song especially for those in their 10s/20s, it's a song with more emotional depth." Suga explained.

"Tomorrow is my absolute favorite song on the album!" Jennie spoke with a big smile.

"Don't you also want to tell them your big news?" Rapmon gestured to her with a knowing smile.

"Ah...sure. I play the guitar for tomorrow in the album." She revealed. "I hope you all enjoy it."

"Wow~ I've heard you play the guitar. How was it?" The female MC asked.

"I really enjoyed working on it. It was a little hard at first but as I continued listening to the lyrics, I got a bit emotional. It's been a while since I played the electric guitar. I was more into the acoustic but it worked out very well after a couple of jam sessions in the studio."

"You'll hear the emotion in her playing," Suga added.

"The opportunity to play the guitar for one of our songs is a huge privilege and I'm really happy with the result."

"You will be surprised at her playing. I had to stare at her for a few moments, questioning if that was really her playing. I was really caught off guard. She plays well." He praised.

"Thank YOU for letting me play for your song."

"What was the facial expression and what did you say?" Jimin laughed as Suga dropped his jaw, staring at the camera in confusion.

"J-Jennie? How did you do that?" Suga stuttered, repeating what he said when he first heard her play as another roar of laughter surrounded the studio.

"And something that everyone knows about BTS, their lyrics aim to reach out to people in their 10s/20s. I heard that this album is to reach out to those schooling. Is that true?" The female MC asked.

"That's right. Well in our debut album, we sang, 'Hey kid what's your dream' where we talked about our dreams. In our second album we talked about 'happiness' and here in our 3rd album we talk about 'love'. We thought that especially for those in their late 10s, instead of dreams they'd be most concerned on the issue of love and with that we came up with the subject of a three part school series." Rapmon replied.

"Ah, I see. All right we're with BTS right now, they've got a really suitable theme/subject. Let's have them talk about this 1 by 1. Real men's and woman's love story, I wonder what this is about."

"Our title track Real Man, Boy in Luv is packed with overflowing love. A really manly stage performance as well as a manly song, you'll be able to listen to it in just a while's time!" J-Hope explained.

"And throughout the manliness of the song, you'll also see the girl's perspective. She thinks the guy is cute, but she tries to ignore the feelings a bit." Jennie added

"Ah...but it seems like you weren't able to resist Jimin's charms in the Music Video, is that right?" The male MC teased.

"...Yes." She answered after a pause and looked away while everyone chuckled at her reaction.

"Everything about it is manly with a dash of girlishness from the girl's perspective. Be it the song or the choreography, all of it." The male MC commented as they watched the Music video. "Firstly they're students but seems like those students who are rather street smart with great popularity, and they dance well too! And I've watched the MV as well as the photos. It's the love of real men towards a single girl, right?"

"During the filming, did any of the members slip and fall?" The female MC asked

"Ah yes, J-Hope. Hobie fell." Suga answered. "He started early in the day in his best condition but as it went later into the night, he started making mistakes and all."

"It was only in that moment really, I'm alright now!" J-Hope grinned sheepishly

"Was it because you felt pressured? Or you caught the flu or was it simply because you wanted to rest?" The male MC joked, making everyone laugh.

"No, no!" J-Hope tried to explain.

"That wasn't why?"

"It's not like that." He explained that he went to the clinic and was back and running the next day.

"We ended very early!" Jimin added

"Thanks to him," Rapmon commented.

"Well, this time round we've heard that you have a dance intended to shake up ladies' hearts." The male MC mentioned. "And Miss Bangtan has something in mind to shake up the guys' hearts. The name of the dance is called King Kong Dance?"

"Yes, many people started calling it King Kong Dance after watching our music video."

"We've prepared talk subjects that are compatible with Bangtan!" The male MC said.

"That's right, you can see here with me, that we've prepared this 2014 Bangtan Executive election." The female MC said, revealing the board next to her.

"The games can be participated by 3 people."

"Now we'll start by choosing the first one, 'Chief of Broadcast' and before we choose the mission, we have to choose the running candidates for the title. Perhaps is there anyone who has confidence in this title?"

"We need three people~"

"I'll try!" Jimin raised his hand

"I want to try it too," Jin spoke up.

"Jungkook too?" The male MC asked, looking at him raising his hand

"Yes!" He replied

'Find the King of Diction.' Was the first mission

After the three of them do Rock, Paper, Scissors, Jungkook gets to choose last while Jimin chooses first. Picking the first option which had two stars, the female MC tears off to cover to reveal the statement.

"This statement has to be said in five seconds time! If you get it wrong, you have to do it again. The most important thing is speed! Because if you get it wrong, you'll have to start again. So it's vital to be fast!" The MCs advised. "Start!"

"The natural fruit beverage Jung Hyung Don likes is the Lime fruit beverage or Pomegranate fruit?" Jimin read successfully before the time ran out.

"The 'seok-ryu' sounded a bit more like 'seo-gyu' so there's a bit of danger there but if you did about this level..." The male MC turned to the female MC.

"Pass?"

"Pass." The male MC agreed.

"Aye~ great job, Jimin!" Jennie high fived him.

Jin picked the one with the three stars as the female MC ripped off the cover.

"Ah, he's doomed. It's really tough!" J-Hope laughed.

Once he got the OK to start, Jin began to fumble with the words, "Do the ingredients of milk contain higher-content than iron-content-"

"Wrong wrong!" The MCs yelled.

"Do it again! Since we have to have it accurate, let's do it again~" The female MC exclaimed.

"Start!"

"Do the ingredients of milk contain higher calcium content than iron content? Or is there higher iron content than calcium content?" He managed to say it before the time but failed to pronounce it.

V raised his hand to volunteer when the MCs asked if anyone else wanted to try. "Do the ingredients of milk contain higher calcium content, more than-" He started muffling, stumbling over his words.

"AHHAHAHAHA!" Jennie laughed out loud.

"Aye! That won't do!" The female MC playfully scolded

"Please read what's written there!" Jin said

Next, it was Jungkook's turn as the female MC tears off the last tag. Suga cackled evilly while they read the statement. "Jungkook, start!" The male MC gestured

"The office supply and the office supply building, the office supply building's iron gates and-" Jungkook sighed as he stopped.

"Ah, do it again!"

"Aye, it's difficult."

"Once more, that ended too fast. Since this is really difficult, we'll reset the time for you."

Starting again, Jungkook quickly read the statement, "The office supply and the office supply building, the office supply building's iron gates and the office supply iron gate's twin-" He paused. "Ah...it's really difficult~"

"It's seriously difficult, right?"

In the end, Jimin managed to get the chief of broadcast, getting a badge on his arm. The next challenge was the future chief of love, picking three candidates, The MCs chose J-Hope, Suga and V.

'Why do you shake up my heart, Bangtan'

"The member that delivers the loveliest confession of love will be the winner!" The female MC announced.

But before they start, Jimin decides to do a voice impression of Taeyang, putting a shoestring on his head and a black cap on to mimic his hat with dreads. 

"When Taeyang Sunbaenim has interviews!" Suga chuckled.

Jimin started impersonating him well, "This time...it's a hairstyle that many girls fancy...while watching Animal Kingdom, I saw the looks there and thought I should try this hairstyle." Everyone laughed in response. 

After they pulled themselves together, V, Suga, and J-Hope got their cards, J-Hope revealed his card first and it said 'Having difficulties with Seoul talk dialect, transfer student version'

Romantic music came on in the background while J-Hope started his confession. 

"Ah, for me up till now...it's still a bit..how do I say it...I'm still fluent in Seoul talk. But after hanging out with you for quite a while, it's been really nice hanging out with you and ah-dda I love you-ing." He grinned, making the MCs whoa.

"You did well!" They praised

"Now we'll have the others vote with their like/dislike cards. 1, 2, 3!" The male MC announced

Jennie puts up the pink thumbs up sign for J-Hope and so do the others except for V and Rapmon. 

Next up was V as he revealed his paper. "You who came from the stars' Exchange student version." He read

"Start!"

"Why did you come? Why did you come here?" V sighed. "You say you like Jimin, but you like me, too, what is this?"

"NG!" The male MC shouted, making everyone laugh. Jennie giggled at V's confused expression.

"I'm sorry but V there's the board there. The guy's waiting with a ring prepared. Please just do the given lines."

"Ah! I'm supposed to read those lines and do it?" V questioned, finally understanding, while there was a commotion.

"Action!"

"Wait for me, I've prepared a ring! I'll put it on for you soon..." V read in a strong voice, making everyone laugh in their seats.

"Wait a minute was that a satori acting?" The MC questioned before telling him if it was a good job. When it was time to vote, everyone but Suga gave V a thumbs up. "Suga, how come you didn't like it?"

"I'm a real avid viewer of that drama and as a viewer, I really didn't like it. I think he completely wrecked Kim Soo Hyun's acting." He replied in a blunt tone. 

When he opened his paper, the paper read 'Love unhealthy real man version'

When they said to start, Suga confidently said, "Keep your fourth finger empty because I'll be proposing to you."

Everyone cringed at the cheesiness, groaning and yelling. The guys quickly put a thumbs down. Giggling, Jennie raised the thumbs up sign. 

"Ah~ only Jennie seems to like it!" The male MC laughed.

"She's lying. Give me this." V took her sign and turned it into a thumbs down, making her laugh

"Right now the dislikes are unanimous." The male MC laughed. "Suga! You prepared something really cool and nice but why do they dislike it so much?"

"I guess they're just people who don't know about romance." He replied with a shrug.

V was the winner with the highest points and won the chief of love, getting a badge. They were out of time and weren't able to do the last challenge. 

"Even though I only got to vote today, it's been really fun." Rapmon mentions. "Just watching with Jennie has been really fun."

"Oh yeah, I had a good laugh. Hopefully next time Rapmon and I can do one of the challenges." She adds.

-------

'Melon Premiere Live'

'BTS'

'Jump'

For the performance, Jennie wore black shredded jeans, a white tank top and a leather jacket. Her hair was straight with loose curls as she sported a snapback on her head, wearing it backward. 

With a microphone in hand, Jennie jumped up in the air with the guys, singing, "Let's jump!"

Soneul jeo wiro deulgo oechyeo da gachi pump it up!

"Lets jump!" She sang, jumping again with the guys.

soneul jeo wiro deulgo oechyeo modu da jumpin' up

(Lets jump!)

ttwieobojago

(Lets jump!)

jeongsin butjabeo

"Lets jump!" She pointed to the crowd.

soneul haneullo deulgo oechyeo modu da jumpin' up

Everybody say

(Lets jump!)

kkumkkuneun jadeuriyeo

(Lets jump!)

modu soneul wiro

(Lets jump!)

geunsim geokjeongeun dwiro

Lets jump! jump! ju-ju-ju-jump!

(Lets jump!)

Taking Rapmon's position, she jumped with the guys before dipping low while sing-rapping in a lower octave. "Kkumkkuneun jadeuriyeo~"

(Lets jump!)

"Modu soneul wiro~" She rocked side to side with the guys

(Lets jump!)

"Geunsim geokjeongeun dwiro~" She nodded her head back and forth to the beat.

Lets jump! jump! ju-ju-ju-jump!

eoril jeok kkumkkwowatdeon hieoro

yeongungi doegopaseo jeompeuhaetdeon

ttaewaneun dalli baero

keojyeobeorin kiwa heulleobeorin sigan

neon eoreuni doeeogajiman I wanna rewind

10sal kkomaengiga kkumkkwowasseotdeon meotjin

yeongungmanhwa jujegareul bulleowasseotdeon

geu ttaero doragagopa nungamgo sorichyeo

hajiman byeonhan geon eobtji hyeonsireun geudaero

V! nuga nareul magado

naui gal gireul gandago

insaeng han bangirago

Leggo

"Leggo!" She shouted with the guys.

Leggoooo

dan harureul sarado

huhoeneun jeoldaero eopdago

han beon ttwieobojago

Let's jump!

Pumping up her chest up and down with the guys as they chant, (Jump! Jump! Jump! Jump!)

(Lets jump!)

"Soneul jeo wiro deulgo oechyeo da gachi pump it up!" She sang out.

(Lets jump!)

soneul jeo wiro deulgo oechyeo modu da jumpin' up

(Let's jump!)

ttwieobojago

(Lets jump!)

jeongsin butjabeo

(Lets jump!)

"soneul haneullo deulgo oechyeo modu da jumpin' up!"

Everybody say

(Let's jump!)

kkumkkuneun jadeuriyeo

(Let's jump!)

modu soneul wiro

(Let's jump!)

geunsim geokjeongeun dwiro

Let's jump! jump! ju-ju-ju-jump!

(Let's jump!)

"Kkumkkuneun jadeuriyeo~"

(Let's jump!)

"Modu soneul wiro~"

(Let's jump!)

"Geunsim geokjeongeun dwiro~"

Let's jump! jump! ju-ju-ju-jump!

nae insaengi bakkwin 2007nyeon

tto geureoke norae bureunjido 7nyeon

sonyeodeul mamui killer

But gakkeum nan dapdaphaetdeon

geu ttaero doraga

hayan baekji gatatdeon

nae jasingwa daemyeonhae

geu mannami tto dareun nareul kkaewonae

ja pomnage mudaereul olla

modu da nollage jump like Jordan

Ball!

geudaero doraga sunyeongan

bangguseok jarie bakhyeoitdeon teuraempollineul

kkeonae deuneorbeun gongteoreul ttwinora

jeompeu hanbeonimyeon geu hwanhui,

modu gajil deut haetdeon neowa

sunsuhaetdeon kkumdeullo nal sunoha

eoreuni doego sipdeon nae eorin nareun

maeiri gippeumeuro gadeuk chasseosseo

So can I be the one, juss can i be the one

that i.. stop

"Let's jump!"

soneul jeo wiro deulgo oechyeo da gachi pump it up

(Let's jump!)

soneul jeo wiro deulgo oechyeo modu da jumpin' up

"Let's jump!"

ttwieobojago

(Let's jump!)

jeongsin butjabeo

"Let's jump!"

soneul haneullo deulgo oechyeo modu da jumpin' up

Let's jump & down,

uriga wasseo we are BTS

Beat down! junbiga dwaesseumyeon

soneul nopi deureo

eoril jeok kkumkkudeon geotgwaneun dareujiman

biroso mannatji urin yeongung jimangsaeng raeppeo

ijen mudae wiro jump!

uriga chasedae hieoro

cheoreopgiman haetdeon yeongung jimangsaeng

ilgobi mandeureoganeun jump sound

teuraempollin daesin naega ttwieoya haneun

goseun mudae wi, michin deusi up down

ije malman malgo nalgaereul dal ttaeya

gal ttaekkaji dallinda let's get it started

du eokkaereul pigo rock your body

meorissogeul biugo let's go party

(Let's jump!)

kkumkkuneun jadeuriyeo

(Let's jump!)

modu soneul wiro

(Let's jump!)

geunsim geokjeongeun dwiro

(Let's jump!)

"kkumkkuneun jadeuriyeo~"

(Let's jump!)

"modu soneul wiro~"

(Let's jump!)

"Geunsim geokjeongeun dwiro~"

(Let's jump!)

"Kkumkkuneun jadeuriyeo!" Rapmon and Jen say together.

(Let's jump!)

"modu soneul wiro~"

(Let's jump!)

"Geunsim geokjeongeun dwiro~"

"Yeah eh eh eh aye~" Jungkook and Jimin end the same in harmony

After getting settled, the members are seated on stage in front of the crowd. "Let's hear if the members have a song they like." The interviewer announced

"I like that song, a dialect song, Where you from. I don't have much part in this song since I don't use dialect but I wrote an amazing bridge." Rapmon answered.

"Can we hear a bit?" He asked. The crowd started screaming when he started to sing part of his verse.

"Next, which songs did you guys make?"

"Suga joined in the making of the song Jump." J-Hope revealed

"The song you just heard is a song produced a long time ago. Four years ago when I was still a trainee, I made it with Rap Monster." Suga answered. "I'm really glad that it got to be on the album. I think our name is on the credit for every song. We worked really hard so please love it."

"You guys must be proud. I'm excited too. You guys wrote something before coming in here, right?" The interviewer reveals all the questions that the fans have written on various post-it notes.

"Jin, did you succeed in making muscles?" Read the question

"I've been working really hard for the past two months. But I don't have muscles yet. I don't get them easily but I have a little. Our members now do." He replied.

"Is this why you wore destroyed jeans? To show your leg muscles?" The interviewer teased him as Jin showed off his black ripped jeans. "Next question, Jennie, are you playing the guitar in any of the songs?"

"As a matter of fact, I am. I play the electric guitar in Tomorrow. The song was also made by Suga. I'm really happy about that." She answered happily.

"Yes, we worked really hard on it. We hope you enjoy the song." Suga added.

Next question was 'Who is the most far from being a manly man?'

Mostly everyone, including Jennie pointed to V while everyone laughed. "I'm a man with great imaginations." V answered

"He is still very naïve, more like a cute guy." Suga added.

"Gwiyomi?" The interviewer questioned.

"Show them!" Suga let out a laugh.

"Gwi...yomi?" V said in a weird voice.

For their last performance, the guys meet up on stage, some walking down the steps to greet each other in their school uniforms.

But as soon as Jennie walks down the steps in her school uniform, the crowd gets louder when the guys stop and stare as she walks by, paying them no mind. 

Afterward, they all get in position for Boy In Luv.

doegopa neoui oppa

neoui sarangi nan neomu gopa

doegopa neoui oppa

neol gatgo mal geoya dugo bwa

wae nae mameul heundeuneun geonde

wae nae mameul heundeuneun geonde

wae nae mameul heundeuneun geonde

heundeuneun geonde heundeuneun geonde

appa,

appan daeche eoddeohge

eomma

hante gobaekhan geonji

pyeonji

rado sseoya doelleonji

mwonji,

ni apeseo nan meonji

gwaenhi tiktikdaego

ssikssikdaego jingjingdaege dwae

naneun jinjihande

jjijilhage sibina geolge dwae

mwonde singyeong sseuyeo

da keun nal aero mandeureo

geokkuro dwijibeulkkyeo,

inyeoneul yeonineuro

daehakggajido neorang gandamyeon

cham jal gal geot gata

ganadaramabasaa hakunamatata!

ddokgateun peuropil sajin

wae jakku hwaginhalkka

geureohdago chakgakhajima

swiun namja anya

andal nasseo na andal nasseo

niga mwonde?

neoman jallasseo?

wae nareul jakku nollyeo nollyeo

neo ije geuman hol' up hol' up

ggwak jaba nal deopchigi jeone

nae mami neol nohchigi jeone

Say what you want

Say what you want

niga jinjjaro wonhaneun ge mwoya

ggwak jaba nal deopchigi jeone

nae mami neol nohchigi jeone

Say what you want

Say what you want

niga jinjjaro wonhaneun ge mwoya

wae nae mameul heundeuneun geonde

wae nae mameul heundeuneun geonde

wae nae mameul heundeuneun geonde

heundeuneun geonde heundeuneun geonde

Strutting around the stage, she started to ponder. "He's so good looking and he wants me. He thinks I don't notice him watching as my face is stuck in the books." She glanced back at the guys watching her. "I wonder how many times my name was written in his notebook. He told me 'I'll have you, just watch.' I called it a bluff. Let me just ignore him, he'll go away soon enough. At least that's what I thought. He wants to be my oppa. Shall I call him oppa? What should I do? Why is my face getting so hot from his intense stares? He always catches me when I try to flee. He's persistent. Is this what mom felt for dad?"

Rushing up to her, Suga started to dance and rap in her face while she looked annoyed and tried to ignore him.

geoteuron bad bad girl,

sogeun deo bad bad girl

na gateun namjal nohchimyeon

huhoehage doel geol

mesinjeo hwaginhaenohgo

nureuji anhneun neoui haengwi

"il" jari eobseo jimgwa dongsie sokman

Shoving him back a bit, she shook her head. "A bad bad boy on the outside, an even more bad bad boy on the inside. I don't want a boy, I want a man. Me regretting losing a guy like you? It's the other way around. Fall back a little bit." She turned around, only to get her hand grabbed and spun around to face him, earning a few loud screams.

taji nebigeisyeonina salkka bwa

(ppareum ppareum ppareum) eopilharyeogo

gyesok nan (adung badung badung)

jinsim? (I got 'em) dwissim? (I got 'em)

naega yuilhage gajji mothan geon

neoui (areum areum daum)

i naega eoddeohge

byeonhamyeon doegetni, hol' up

mildang? eojang?

geureon geo nan jal molleo

daesin apeumyeon

irilgu malgo nal bulleo

niga ullamyeon ureo,

useuramyeon useo, gureuramyeon gulleo

andal nasseo na andal nasseo

niga mwonde?

neoman jallasseo?

wae nareul jakku nollyeo nollyeo

neo ije geuman hol' up hol' up

ggwak jaba nal deopchigi jeone

nae mami neol nohchigi jeone

Say what you want

Say what you want

niga jinjjaro wonhaneun ge mwoya

ggwak jaba nal deopchigi jeone

nae mami neol nohchigi jeone

Say what you want

Say what you want

niga jinjjaro wonhaneun ge mwoya

As the lights dim and Jennie stands in the middle, crossing her arms, Jungkook walks over to her with a hand over his heart. 

"Doegopa neoui oppa." He sang with a smile as she turned around. He took out the rose in his pocket and handed it to her as she started to smile. "Neoreul hyanghan naui maeumeul wae molla."

"Nareul moreun cheokhaedo chagaun cheokhaedo." Jin came up to her, singing to her with a smile as she returned his smile.

Jimin grabbed her hand and twirled her around before lifting up her chin with a smile while singing, "Neol mireonaejin mothagesseo."

doegopa neoui oppa

neoui namjaga doel geoya dugo bwa

naui maeumi nege datorok

jigeum dallyeogal geoya

ggwak jaba nal deopchigi jeone

nae mami neol nohchigi jeone(nohchigi jeone)

Say what you want

Say what you want

niga jinjjaro wonhaneun ge mwoya

ggwak jaba nal deopchigi jeone

nae mami neol nohchigi jeone

Say what you want

Say what you want

niga jinjjaro wonhaneun ge mwoya

--------

After their schedule was done for the day, Jennie went to the store to continue buying some last minute items for the guys. Buying various candy and cupcake mixes, she planned on making the guys cupcakes.

After leaving the supermarket, she decided to head to a local game store to buy the latest video game she could trash Jungkook in. Walking to the PlayStation section, she decided to grab Battlefield 4 since he's been talking about it for a while.

"Man...I really want it..." A girl sighed as she looked at the new Nintendo 2DS along with the Pokemon X and Y game.

"Honey, I can't afford that, right now. I told you this before we went inside." Her mom replied.

Jennie looked up to see the girl looking sad while checking out the 2DS. Pondering, she wanted to approach her and offer to buy it for her. She had saved a lot of money thanks to her mom stressing to save and spend wisely. Spending over 100 dollars on the game system won't be too bad.

Should she approach her?

The worst they can say is no.

"Excuse me," Jen's soft voice caught their attention. 

The girl, who looked around the age of 13 gasped loudly, covering her mouth. "It's Jennie! From BTS!"

"You know me?" Jennie asked out loud in surprise.

"Know you? I love you!"

"Oh my! Hello! It's very nice to meet you. My daughter is a huge fan of yours. How lucky are we to have bumped into you today," Her mother smiled while Jennie bowed to her politely.

"I'm not just a huge fan, she's my bias!" Her daughter said loud and proud.

'I'm not just a huge fan, she's my bias!'

'She's my bias!'

'Bias...'

'I'm...her bias...? Me?' Jennie thought slowly, taken aback at her sudden outburst. She couldn't believe this little girl looked up to her and named her as her favorite in BTS. Smiling gratefully, she happily replied with a thank you.

"Can I please take a picture with you? Please?"

"Of course!" She happily bent down a little and threw up a peace sign while the girl took a selfie with a large grin on her face. Turning to the girl's mother, Jennie explained why she approached them. "I don't mean to bother you but I couldn't help but notice your daughter wanting the Nintendo 2DS. I would like to buy it for her. If it's all right with you."

Another large gasp escaped the girl's lips while her mother looked surprised at her offer. "If it's all right with you, then sure." Turning to her daughter she asked her, "Now what do you say to this kind young lady?"

"Thank you so much!" The girl hugged her tightly, earning a whoa from Jennie. Laughing, she hugged her back.

"Don't just hug her without her permission!" Her mother scolded. "I apologize for her bad manners."

"No, no, it's perfectly fine. I love hugs. Now let's get this 2DS for you." She picked up the Pokemon game and 2DS, taking it to the counter. After paying for everything, she handed the girl the bag after taking out Battlefield 1 to put in her purse. "Here you are! I hope you enjoy the game."

With tears of joy flowing down the girl's cheeks, she embraced Jennie again. "Thank you so much, Jennie. I will cherish this forever!"

"Thank you for doing this for my daughter. You are such a kind soul."

"The smile on people's faces makes my day. All I ask is that you please continue to support BTS."

"Of course!" The girl promised.

After Jennie went back to the dorm, hiding the cupcake mix and other ingredients from the members, she checked their shared Twitter account. 

"What in the world...?" She murmured.

'Jennie from BTS shows generosity as she buys a fan a Nintendo 2DS and Pokemon game' on ALLKPOP and other K-Media sites.

Jennie was dumbfounded. Who filmed her? She didn't even notice she was being filmed. Sometimes she forgot that she was actually known in South Korea. She was overwhelmed by the nice comments about how generous and kind she was to do that for someone.

"Jennie! YOU WENT TO GAMESTOP WITHOUT ME!?" Jungkook yelled as she let out a sigh.

"I guess he read the article." She said and decided to take the game out. "Get the game set up. It's time to trash you." She tossed the game at him as he gaped at it.

"You got the game!? For us?! Seriously!? This is great!"

-----------

When it was finally Valentine's Day, Jen managed to convince the guys to go out for lunch, while she got ready for the day. She chose to bake heart shaped vanilla cupcakes. Finally mixing the ingredients together and putting them in the pan, she set the two pans in the oven.

While waiting for them to bake, she chose to make a Twitter video, "Happy Valentine's Day, ARMY! Please spend the day with your loved ones. This day isn't just about dating, show your love for your friends and family, too! I love you all! Stay warm and have an awesome day!" She shot up a finger heart with a sweet smile.

After baking 36 cupcakes and decorating them, she placed them on three stands to stack them neatly on the living room table.

"It smells so good~" She took one off the stand and bit into it. "And it's so good. I hope they like it."

Ten minutes later, the guys finally arrived back from lunch. "Jennie! We're back!" Namjoon called out.

"Happy Valentine's Day~!" Her voice was heard as they walked to the kitchen. There she was presenting the stack of baked cupcakes for them. Hobi, Jimin and Tae screamed in excitement as she let out a laugh. "I didn't want to buy any baked goods so I wanted to bake something from the heart. I hope you like it."

"Like it? This is awesome!" Namjoon exclaimed.

Hobi pulled her in for a bear hug and she started to laugh. 

Snapping a picture on the stacked cupcakes while Jen was talking to the guys, Yoongi tweets, 'She is SO going to get spoiled on White Day...#Suga'

"Before you all dig in, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for being such great friends and helping me grow as a performer here in South Korea. Enjoy these cupcakes made with love!" She said in a genuine tone.

"That's it...bring it in. Group hug, everyone. This is amazing." Namjoon pulled her in for a hug.

"Thank you Jennie~" They thank her as they hug her tightly.

Once they dug in, their satisfied sighs were more than enough for Jennie to know that they liked it.

"Jennie. I want you to look forward to White Day. We're going to go over the top for you." Jin guaranteed.

"Really? Guys, you're so sweet. You don't need to do that. I'll be fine."

"No, no, no, you will be hooked up on White Day. How dare you say you don't want anything after what you've done? No refusing." Yoongi demanded

"All right, all right. I'll look forward to it." She let out another laugh.

---------

On Hobi's birthday, gathering for a meeting to monitor the showcase, Jennie sat in between Jin and Rapmon as they focused on the showcase and their performance for Boy In Luv, but all of a sudden the monitor started to glitch as they looked confused. But then Jin started to smile when his birthday message to J-Hope began to play.

"Hope, a big happy birthday to you~. You must want to see your family during your birthday but since the members are here for you, I hope you're still as happy." Jin said in the video, making J-Hope laugh loudly. "And again, happy birthday, Hope."

"When did you film this?" J-Hope asked with a bright smile.

Next up appearing was Suga on the screen. "J-Hope~ for your 21st birthday, a serious congratulations. Let's keep making good songs, even in 2014, let's just have good songs come in our way. Congrats again."

"Hope! Happy birthday~!" Jen's bright voice was heard in the video as she waved to the camera. "Your munchkin wishes you an awesome birthday! You're always helping me with my dancing and you always brighten up my day. Thank you for always being there for me. You're such a kind soul and your positive energy is so contagious. Haha, you are definitely our sunshine in the group. I wish you many more birthdays to come. I love you~!"

Next up was Rapmon in the video. "Hope! Happy birthday! It's already your 4th birthday that we are celebrating together. Again, happy birthday. Always be the J-Hope that is happy and dances well. I love you."

"Hey, you there! Happy birthday." V said on the video, making J-Hope laugh again. "I always see you as positive and hopeful hope. This video message, the members birthday message, I am imagining you crying and weeping over this surprising birthday message. Hyung, again, happy birthday! I love you!"

"It's Jungkook and Jimin. Hope hyung, happy birthday!" Jimin said as he clapped with Jungkook. "Congrats on your 21st birthday, hyung. To be honest, there are many things I look up to you. Not just your healing image in the dorm. Thanks to you, the group is always so lively and in a good mood. You also keep the house clean. I think that you are a really good brother. I sometimes have these thoughts that since you're older now, I feel like we need to be more like an adult now."

"That's right." Jungkook agreed. "I am becoming more of an adult now, I will listen to your words more. I sincerely wish you a happy birthday."

"Sorry, we couldn't prepare a birthday present. Us youngsters are in lack of money." Jimin laughed. 

"We love you."

"I hope you would let loose on us sometimes," Jimin mentioned, making everyone laugh. "We will try to listen to you more. We love you hyung, Bye~"

Everyone bursted out in laughter when they saw the manager on the screen. 

The manager started laughing at first in the video. "To our beloved J-Hope, it's nice to see you livening up the mood in the team and always full of hope. Although I've never said this in front of you, you know it right? I really love you. Happy birthday~. This year too, let's continue to support each other. Let's run to the top!"

As soon as Hobi's father came on the screen for a video message, he started to tear up. "Son, it's your father. You're doing well, right? I'm really sorry I can't say a proper happy birthday on your 21st birthday."

Jennie turned to see Hobi starting to cry as tears started to appear in her eyes.

"Me and your mom are thankful to have a son like you. Happy birthday again to our lovely son." His father said while Jennie started fanning her eyes to stop her tears. "Your second mini album, seeing that you've worked hard on it, I'll be praying that good results will come. Also, over everything else, I hope for you to be in good health. Don't forget that, if you stay healthy, anything can be done. I hope you do well in the future. Once again, happy birthday my son~. My son, I love you. J-Hope, all the best. BTS, all the best."

Next was his mom and sister as they greeted him. "Hoseok it's your mom and sister here. Congrats on your 21st birthday. And your new mini album just recently came out as much as you've worked hard on it, I hope for good results. And take good care of your health. Though I'm not beside you physically, through this video I hope it gives you strength."

"I also hope you enjoy your birthday! Bye! Happy birthday! Always stay healthy, all the best to Bangtan."

After the video was over, Jimin walked in with the candle lit cake as everyone sang. "Happy birthday to you~ happy birthday to you! To our beloved Hoseok hyung~ Happy birthday to you!"

"Woo~" everyone cheered as he blew out the candles.

Jin handed Hobi a tissue to wipe his tears while Jimin sat down, behind him. 

"Seeing Hoseok hyung crying is kinda surreal," Jimin admitted, looking surprised.

"I was surprised when Hoseok cried," Jin added.

"I totally didn't expect this," Hobi said as he tried to pull himself together. "Ah...what to do."

"What do you mean what to do? Because of you, everyone is crying now."

"When will you cry again if it's not today? Cry as much as you like." Jimin smiled.

"I didn't expect this. Thank you." He sniffed.

As they stand up, they cut the cake. 

"Truthfully, when the members' faces came out I felt the tears coming. Even when the manager came out, the tears were threatening to fall. But when my father's face suddenly came out, I couldn't hold it and I just burst into tears. Seriously...Big Hit is seriously the best." Hobi said, making everyone laugh.

"Big hit, Bangtan and our ARMYs, I love you all! Thank you!" he said to the camera while everyone clapped

"It feels like we won an award or something. It feels like we're in an award ceremony." Jimin laughed while Hobi started hugging the members.

"Leader, you're the best." Hobi shook hands with Namjoon. "Thank you, Munchkin." He goes to hug her after she gives him a sweet kiss on the cheek and then goes to hug Jimin. "Thank you. It was the best birthday I've spent."

"Jungkook you had like five! Share!" Jimin tried to snatch one of Jen's cupcakes from him. 

---------

They were back in the dorm, eagerly munching on the last of the cupcakes. Meanwhile, Jennie was on the couch in the living room, watching TV, laughing to herself at their fighting.

"Hyung! Give it back! That was mine!" Jungkook shouted.

"Too bad~ hahaha!"

As she continued to watch Running Man on TV, her attention was interrupted when her phone dinged. Looking down she saw Jungkook's text.

JK: Can you bake for me?

Amused, she looks up and turns her head to meet his gaze.

Jen: Lol, sure Kookie.

JK: Only me?

Jen: Just you?? What about the other guys?

JK: I don't want them to hog my best friend's baking

Looking up again in amusement and surprise at his statement, she raised a brow at him. But the look on his face showed that he wasn't necessarily kidding around.

Jen: How about this, I'll bake you your own batch when I bake again.

JK: I like the sound of that. :)

#bts #bangtan boys #jungkook #jungkook x oc #jungkook fanfic #bts fanfic #the bangtan gal #bts 8th member #bts female member #bts added member #bts additional member #bts fluff

[genav0s]

–— ⠀*⠀⠀:⠀⠀SENTIMENTAL⠀!⠀⠀[ . . . ]⠀⠀is the debut extended play (ep) by south korean boy group, avos. it was released on digital platforms by south korean entertainment company, apricus culture on january 9, 2014.

the album was supported by two singles, "blues of sentiments", the title track, and "sidereum luscus (만약에)". commercially, it peaked at number two on the gaon album chart in south korea, and at number three on billboard's world albums chart in the united states. the album has sold over 875,000 copies as of june 2023. a limited edition version of the album was released in japan through ukiyo sounds in 2014.

the group amassed praise for their extensive participation in the making of the album, especially romeo and hwaseong who made their songwriting and production debuts under the pen-names, romeo and pluto respectively. with the tracks blues of sentiments, last night, sidereum luscus, and sweet being entirely written and produced by the members, their individual expression shone throughout the album, cementing their status as a self-producing group.

✶ .    SECTION ONE    :    view tracklist.

﹙ 001. ﹚ — BLUES OF SENTIMENTS

﹙ 002. ﹚ — LAST NIGHT

﹙ 003. ﹚ — JUST US

﹙ 004. ﹚ — SIDEREUM LUSCUS

﹙ 005. ﹚ — SWEET

✶ .    SECTION TWO    :    view physical album.

there is only one version of sentimental including a physical copy of the album, one group poster, two random photocards, one random sticker, and an official photobook (features 51 photos).

✶ .    SECTION THREE    :    view styling.

they leaned into the "boy next door" image heavy during this era. it was kind of chosen as an attempt to separate them from the rocky/cutthroat personalities they developed on their survival show. it was a lot of matchy-matchy uniforms and denim and cotton combinations.

✶ .    SECTION FOUR    :    view era highlights.

1. very cute album to debut with. everyone thought they were going with a dark/boy crush concept and they went the complete opposite way! love that. korea was very on the fence about it. it debuted in a great position, made some noise for the first two weeks, and then disappeared from the charts.

2. they were shy this era. so shy that hwaseong actually cried halfway through their first performance. regardless, their stages were a lot of fun, with very minimal choreography, just them messing around on stage for 3 and a half minutes. it was the worst decision apricus ever made bc by the end of the promotional period romeo was stressed!

3. avos is nothing if not consistent so of course ian and hwaseong still couldn’t stand each other. so much so that they got into a mini-scandal so apricus sent them on a damage control outing to pretend they were friends. didn’t work but it was a nice attempt.

4. very solid album musically. it showcased avos’ strong suits: minimal production & rhythmic raps. one of their more R&B-heavy albums so naturally it’s a fan favorite. their voices sound very different now so it’s a good place to see their musical progression.

5. seeing how involved the boys were with the album, they didn’t feel much for the album. sanghyuk & carter weren’t convinced that the idol life was for them, hwaseong and ian weren’t that emotionally invested in the album, and romeo was working overtime writing and producing 3/4 of the album by himself. 

6. the whole thing was written, recorded, and released within two weeks. it shows because of how exhausted they were the entire era. "never again", except it happened three other times. they work best under pressure i promise.

#⠀–— ⠀*⠀⠀:⠀⠀DISCOGRAPHY⠀!⠀⠀[ . . . ] #fake kpop idol #fictional idol #fictional idol group #fictional idol community #fictional boy group #fictional kpop idol #fictional idol oc #fictional kpop soloist #fictional kpop community #fictional idol soloist #fictional idol company #fictional kpop group #fictional kpop oc #kpop oc #kpop au #kpop boygroup #kpop boy group #kpop #idol au #idol oc #kpop idol

[stylesnews]

Spout Podcast

Spout: What is the biggest difference between the Harry who made Fine Line [album] and the Harry who made Harry's House?

Harry: Oof... I'd say, the Harry that made Harry's House is probably the most comfortable being said Harry that he, that I've ever been. I think I just, I think like... Obviously, all of us went through something in the last couple of years and I think through some time... I don't think really had the stop and sit with who I was for a while, I think, hm, music is kind... I used to be so afraid of who I was if I didn't do it [music] and don't feel afraid of it anymore and I think in a lot of ways, that allows me to just enjoy it more, and I think I've always thought I got really lucky to get to do this as my job but I feel like, hm more and more, I kinda feel like, incredible lucky that this is what I get to do, and I feel like I fall more and more in love with making music and you know, it's a really fun place to make music from, so.

Spout: It's a nice place to hear where the music comes from.

Both: [laugh]

Spout: Is there a song on Harry's House that is a personal favorite of yours?

Harry: I'd say Matilda, probably, is a favorite... Maybe, I'd say Little Freak was a personal favorite for me as well because, because, it was written and made in a hotel room in Tokyo and was kind of done on this, you know, really bad rental gear, and had all this buzz noise and the gear wasn't great and that went through so many different [...] before it got to a point where it was finished and I'm so happy it's kinda done because that was version like, 19 or something, so...

Spout: Love is obviously a really big theme on Harry's House-

Harry: Yes

Spout: But it stands out to me in "Cinema", in the lyrics you say "I just think you're cool, I dig your cinema, do you think I'm cool, too, or am I too into you?" and Harry I gotta say, it's hard for me to imagine you weren't cool enough for someone you were interest in. Are those just lyrics or do you actually feel that way?

Harry: [laugh] And yet, we're all human and I think so, I think so, when you, you know, like someone and that kinda of initial phase of like "am I doing things right before you’re kinda comfortable with each other and it’s all that stuff that happens at the start of something.

Spout: Who does Harry turn to [to help when feeling down/depressed]?

Harry: Hm... I think and try, [stumbles], man... That's an interesting question... I think obviously, along the way, different people, different times, wether touring or making an album, you kinda run into people, and fall into friends and [...], you kinda discuss what that moment [in particular] feels like, but I think like, I don't know I'm trying now and experiencing and try to learn from that. There isn’t someone particularly I turn to for it, I try and, I think my friends bare the brunt of most of my insecurities in those moments, but, yeah, I'm just trying to relax and have a good time, and I feel really good about the music at the moment which helps so, yeah, I’m excited!

Spout: Before there was Harry's House, and Fine Line and your self titled debut album, there was Up All Night, Take me Home and Made in The A.M.. Do you think there will a day when you and the boys will share the stage together again?

Harry: I don't know, I mean I think, I think, the thought of it is really nice, I'd love if there be a time where we all felt like it was something we wanted to do and I very much enjoy those albums you mention, and I think we all went through something really special together and there’s a lot of love there, so, I think if there is a moment for us to do it right, yeah, it could be great, yeah.

#spoutpodast #jun22 #harry styles #removed the voice over

[girlreviews]

Review #172: Bridge Over Troubled Water, Simon & Garfunkel

Simon & Garfunkel have always been hilarious to me. They are such massive goobers. Goobers with huge egos that dated/married/divorced beautiful women. Both insufferable in their individual specific ways. But also they make the most precious and beautiful music together. They know how good they are but lack self-awareness about literally anything else (like that they’re goobers). Everyone likes it though. You want to not like it because your Mom likes it, but you cannot deny its pull. You like it. It’s good. Have you met anyone that hates Simon & Garfunkel? I haven’t.

It really is good. It opens with the title track, which is a big, gorgeous vocal performance that keeps getting bigger. The accompanying music gets bigger too, without drowning out the vocals. The sentiment of the song is just so lovely too: I’m here for you, you’re my friend. It’s nice not to have an entire album of love songs.

Cecilia could be a love song, I suppose, but it’s really about a man who is desperate to reconcile with a cheating partner who sounds pretty toxic. I’d love to hear Cecilia’s side of the story. I really would. I think about this all the time. Especially because they are both such GOOBERS. It’s a really fun song though. When they do upbeat, they really go for it. See also: Keep The Customer Satisfied, Baby Driver (it has a sax solo, c’mon!).

These Goobers know how to put together a damn fine arrangement that makes some of their songs feel deeper: El Condor Pasa has a really Spanish feel to it with the guitar (duh) and some flutes. It’s a whole vibe, that matches the lyrics. Would I rather be a sparrow or a snail? A forest or a street? A hammer or a nail? These are the big unanswered questions in life, right? No, but it feels like it in this song because it’s mysterious and philosophical. This whole vibe thing is also successful in The Only Living Boy in New York. It sounds like what it’s about, and it’s so beautiful. But totally different to Bridge Over Troubled Water and El Condor Pasa. The slower more ballad-y songs on this album sound like a damn Bob Ross painting.

The Boxer is maybe (???) the most well-known song on this album, but that’s based in absolutely no fact whatsoever on my part. I have no idea. It just seems like most people know that one. Like it got more radio play or something. I like it a lot, but there’s low registering repetitive sound running through it that has always just sort of bugged me. Possibly because I just cannot identify what the instrument is? What is that sound? It could be a cello/double-bass, or some kind of horn, or honestly even a percussion type thing. But I don’t know what it is. Honestly it kind of sounds like a duck to me. I’ve even wondered if it’s a kazoo. I haven’t looked it up, but I could. But will I? I’ll just forget about it until the next time I hear it: Sometimes (often) the duck kazoo is all I can focus on instead of the rest of the song which is pretty fucking pretty.

For a really soft, folky, gentle record made by two goobers, I would also definitively state that it’s somehow full of straight bangers. I could elaborate further on that but I’d suggest you listen to it yourself and you’ll see what I mean.

ETA: it’s a damn BASS HARMONICA. I honestly wasn’t that far off with the kazoo. Also, The Boxer took over 100 hours to record. This blew my mind.

#album review #music #music review #rolling stone top 500 #simon and garfunkel #bridge over troubled water #paul simon #art garfunkel

[studentparxie]

Waterparks - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Album Review

I'm going to be honest, I'm still trying to comprehend this album at the time I'm writing this. There's just so much going on, lyrically and sonically. The themes of this album are very personal and are vulnerable topics. Religious trauma and finding his definition of true love are very prevalent within the lyrics. The songs were placed in an extremely specific order because the album is meant to tell a story.

Before I dive into the songs, let's talk about the album cover. It may just come across as a blue poison dart frog on top of a red background at first glance, but there is a deeper meaning to that. The bright red is supposed to be a passionate, violent, and hyper-sexual aura surrounding the frog. Awsten always represented himself with the color blue, since the color blue reminds him of his most vulnerable self. Frogs are seen as dirty and foul creatures through a biblical lens, which made Awsten feel that way because of religion. In a way, the frog is a metaphor for Awsten and he's surrounded by this violent and hyper-sexual aura. He specifically chose a poison dart frog because they are not naturally poisonous, they consume stuff that makes them toxic.

Even the title has some meaning to it. Intellectual Property represents the mental real estate that you'll give something in your head. It creates an environment to explore the themes of religious trauma and true love. These themes are placed separately throughout the album so you won't feel overwhelmed and there is time to explore each theme thoroughly.

ST*RFUCKER

This is a really pretty song. It makes me feel like I'm flying. It works really well as the opening song of the album since it introduces the themes of the album. Lyrics like "Jesus Christ won't text me back" hints at the theme of religious trauma, while "it's been a pleasure, it's nice to meet you" possibly represents letting people go and meeting someone new. This short track attracts you into the album, leaving you wanting more.

REAL SUPER DARK

Oh boy, this song is bonkers. It feels so evil and goes hard. It sounds like a sensory overload but in a good way. This is a fast emo-punk song that doesn't hold back. Awsten's online persona is usually goofy and chaotic, but this song portrays that that's not who he is all the time. He feels these really super dark and negative feelings sometimes and in this song, he really lets it all out.

FUNERAL GREY

This was the first single released for the album and it felt very appropriate to kick off this era of Waterparks. It's light and summery, and it's supposed to make you feel warm inside. It introduces the love story aspect of the album. This song sounds like falling in love for the first time. There is a playful twist with the theme of religious trauma, as heard in the lyric "I know your dying wish is to be baptized in my spit." Honestly, this is a really good song to introduce Waterparks to someone. It's fun, playful, and can get stuck in your head every now and then.

BRAINWASHED

One of my personal favorites on the album. It gives off a similar vibe that FUNERAL GREY does, but it's not exactly that. It's still bright and summery, it has some negative undertones though. It's about meeting someone for the first time and forming a hyper-fixation around them which isn't necessarily healthy. This hyper-fixation is shown with the lyric "It's like my brain isn't mine/you moved into my mind." Though, Awsten is self-aware of it and recognizes it's a problem. It's like he's wrapped up in the honeymoon phase of a relationship. "The syndrome feels Stockholm" is a line demonstrating that he's already established trust in this person. Overall, this song is really cute and sweet and sounds like pure serotonin.

2 BEST FRIENDS

This short and infectious song has such a positive energy, it sounds like I'm at the beach. It's about the feeling of being in a one-sided relationship or showing interest in a potential partner, so Awsten hangs out with 2 best friends to not think of that person. The funky synths and simplicity of the song make it such an earworm, you'll have a hard time getting this one out of your head.

END OF THE WATER (FEEL)

This song is astronomical. The falsettos make my brain so happy. It feels like being transcended to an alternate, mystical realm. The title of the song is a reference to the Pixar movie Onward, as it is a quote from that movie. This song deals with the infatuation with someone, focusing on the lack of a relationship while being invested in this person. The instrumentals complement the meaning of the song really well, passionate and mystical. It's another of my favorites on the album, and Kurtis Conner at the end is the icing on the cake.

SELF-SABOTAGE

In this song, we can hear the change in tone of the album. It's still a pop-rock anthem but is not really a cute song. This song signifies the realization that he is sabotaging the relationship. He is struggling to find time for his partner, though his mental health is holding him back. The repetition of "What the fuck is wrong with me?" in the track represents that Awsten is self-aware that he is the problem in the relationship. The meaning and lyrics of the song contrast with the catchy and fun sound of this track. The woohoos in the chorus are infectious and the bass line just makes you feel all kinds of funky.

RITUAL

Oh buddy, oh God, this song is absolutely off the walls. Waterparks has gone full metalcore on this one. It's so dark and evil, everything feels like it's caving in on Awsten. The distorted vocals, heavy guitar, repetition of the refrain, and breakdown all just work so well in this song. "My inner child needs a bulletproof vest" could possibly mean that Awsten wishes that he could protect his younger self from being exposed to religious ideologies. The final refrain literally sucked the life out of me. I need this song injected into my veins.

FUCK ABOUT IT

Coming out of the darkness, this hard-hitting pop-rock track navigates through the strain of the relationship. Whether it's communication issues or reflecting on each other's actions, they try to fix these problems with sexual intimacy. With a feature from blackbear, he delivers a quick and catchy verse as the partner of the relationship. Awsten's and blackbear's vocals complement each other very well, blending in with each other seamlessly.

CLOSER

In all honesty, this song wrecked me. Accompanied by an acoustic guitar, this ballad is about one's relationship with love. The opening line "Nothing stays the same/I feel love a different way" shows how love changes as you grow. Awsten looks back at the past and realizes that his love was maybe more of an obsession. Some relationships were soft and some ended more catastrophically. As he matured and grew as a person, his love matured with him. The way someone looks at the concept of love, it's always evolving as you mature. Love has different meanings at every stage of your life. From the bridge all the way to the final chorus, I always get choked up. It's beautifully devastating.

A NIGHT OUT ON EARTH

Okay so, there is a lot to unpack in this song alone. The sound is a lot more electronic-heavy with hyperpop and punk influences. The lyrics are the most vulnerable and personal I have ever heard. Awsten vents about some hyper-personal problems he's been facing for a while. The theme of religion pops back up with lyrics like "Now, Jesus hates my guts it's getting personal" and "Am I going to Hell in my sleep or will God forgive me?" He is also learning to use his negative feelings as an advantage. Feelings like jealousy, exhaustion, guilt, and heartbreak are prevalent in this bombastic track. Awsten clearly isn't afraid to hide his negative traits anymore and learning to be authentic with himself. This is heard with the line, "I wear my red flags like a cape." This song is so theatrical and instrumentally complex, it scratches every part of the brain just right. After my first listen, I was left speechless. The outro will never fail to give me chills.

In conclusion, this is the best album Waterparks have ever made. They reach new heights both sonically and lyrically. It's a really personal one for the band, especially for Awsten. I highly recommend listening to this album, it's ambitious in all the right ways. If you listen to the album, the general rule for Waterparks albums is to listen in complete darkness, with no phone, but you can listen along with the lyrics. They suggest that because you don't really get the first listen back. In general, I give this album a 10/10 across the board. Each song is unique and has its own quirks in them, and the pacing works really well to keep you engaged. This is the essential Waterparks album.

#waterparks #awsten knight #otto wood #geoff wigington #intellectual property

[nedpilots]

7 + 1 twenty one pilots ask:

i was tagged by @pantaloonwarrior @dasloddl and @silverlininghills thank you guys! 💜

1. when/how did you discover them? + what was the first song you listened to?

i consider my 'official' discovery of twenty one pilots in january 2019 when the chlorine mv dropped and randomly got on my youtube homepage and blew my mind

though before that i had already heard stressed out/ride/heathens, i think the very first song i heard from them was ride

2. have you been on concert(s)?

sadly no... my dream is to go one of those small venue shows like they did during takeover tour

3. do you remember where you were when trench dropped (if you were a fan by then)?

i wasn't a yet fan back then but what i would give to be in the trench rollout dmaorg updates yellow everywhere era!!

4. favourite thing about the clique?

how we weren't just drawn to the music but the message behind it—and everyone on here is so nice i love y'all and also we have the best artists (drawing/writing/making music)

5. any memorable/funny/interesting quote (from interviews/bts footage/…) you especially like?

i learned the word plausible from the boys, also shoutout to will smith for being such a great friend and providing them places to shoot music videos in

6. what would you want to ask/tell them if you got the chance?

i would like to tell them they're not alone in their struggles either, they're always helping us with their music but it'd be nice that they were the ones being supported for once, i would ask tyler what were the nicher inspirations for the dema/trench world, i'd thank josh dun for overcoming his fear of public speaking because i'm the same look up to him so much

7. which tattoo would you like to know the meaning of (if you do)?

tyler's •|i|• Ø i+! ].[ tattoo, josh's sleeve

i have like three additional questions so here we go:

which album cover do you like best? (from dasloddl)

i love them all but if i had to choose, self titled. because it started as just a sketch drawn by a friend of the band, and nobody had expected it to mean so much to people years later. so i really love that authenticity and that how by looking at it you feel connected to tyler in 2009

I’d love to hear about some memorable moment you had because of this band, it can be anything, whatever you’re comfortable sharing <3 (from pantaloonwarrior)

around a month ago i found a random personalised mug at my school left by a past student and the drawings on the mug were a reference to neon gravestones... that moment of connection with someone in the same place but different times really moved and if i never discovered this band i would've never had this experience <3 (i made a post abt it here)

what do you think the genre/vibe of the next album is going to be? (from silverlininghills)

trench but ever better—gritty & eerie & crisp & euphoric & light & heavy

+1 for @vulture-who-feeds-on-pain @kaminokilljoy @lane-doubter @spookiestbandito: if the boys released a mashup of 2+ of their songs (think sai livestream version songs), which songs would you want to see mixed together?

#ask games #sisi.txt