And I Am Left Here Withering

"Can this day get any worse?" Joel had asked. The universe responded yes, three different times, each response more heartbreaking than the last. Joel would've preferred the universe proving him wrong.

word count: 1250 ao3 link

The first thing Joel heard was an explosion.

And his first instinct was to look up. Needless to say, he hadn’t completely moved on from Skynet and the TNT minecart traps. But no TNT could be spotted, thankfully. He didn’t think anybody would risk their hearts by creating a Skynet 3.0.

His second instinct was to assume that it was the Wither. If only he knew how badly that would come back to bite him later on.

His third instinct was to check his communicator, in case someone died. He didn’t see any lightning flash in the sky, which he thought was weird.

Joel pulled out his communicator, just in case he missed something, and—

Oh.

Oh, no.

For a moment, he thought he was experiencing déjà vu. He gritted his teeth and he tightened his grip on the communicator, nearly destroying it. Hot red blood pumped through his veins, speeding up his heart rate and he thought he was going to go snap. Joel behaved this way when Jimmy died first in Limited Life. When he had failed to sacrifice himself for him. But there were two major differences this time: 1) Joel wasn’t a red name (yet); and 2) it was Lizzie who died first.

He blinked rapidly. Once, twice, five times, because he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He didn’t even see the death message in the chat. Does anybody even know what’s happened to her?

Joel sent a few messages, alerting everyone of Lizzie’s sudden departure. He was right: nobody knew what happened and responded with shock. Jimmy responded with happiness. 

Joel wanted to be angry at Jimmy’s inconsiderate response but he couldn’t be. For the first time since these games started, Jimmy wasn’t the first one out. He remembered the last game. Joel wanted to sacrifice himself for Jimmy, he wanted so badly to free him from that cycle. And he failed.

He failed and he went insane and it ended up being his downfall. 

Joel was happy for Jimmy, he really was. However, it was difficult to express his happiness considering the news he just received. 

He had a suspicion that Scott was somehow involved in Lizzie’s death and that just made him feel even worse. Because, like the idiot he was, Joel just had to send his wife to kill Scott. He didn’t see lightning in the sky, so she didn’t even die in the overworld.

He remembers Lizzie telling Joel that she’d lure Scott into the End and try to push him into the void. Now it only seemed reasonable to assume that Lizzie fell into the void instead. Joel would’ve felt better if Lizzie dragged Scott down with her.

So, Lizzie was dead, Jimmy was celebrating, and Joel was craving vengeance even more than before. Though he failed his task, he would kill Scott. He was only a yellow name for now. And, there was a somewhat bright side: the canary could finally escape the mines.

—----------------------------

Unfortunately, the canary could not escape a warden and a Wither. At the same place. At the exact same time.

Joel, trying to calm down after hearing about Lizzie’s death, was killing some zombies. Mainly for experience, but also because mobs were the only things Joel could legally kill. Then, a series of explosions and some muffled shouting could be heard on the surface. Now, this has to be the Wither, he thought. Secretly, Joel hoped he would be wrong. But when went up to the surface, he found that he was, unfortunately, 100% correct. A Wither was flying in the dark sky, hot on Scar’s heels and firing skulls at him. The fact that Scar was still alive and not taking any wither damage was pretty remarkable. If only he wasn’t luring the bloody Wither to Joel. 

So Joel had to run from Scar and the Wither, hoping they’d both leave him alone. As he ran, Joel wanted to say “could things get any more chaotic?”

And then he saw a warden chasing Etho.

Apparently, the universe felt “bad” for always proving Joel wrong so it wanted to prove him right for once. He’d rather be wrong for the rest of his life. 

He just wanted to breathe for a moment and collect himself. But obviously, the universe can’t let him catch a break. Lightning flashed in the sky and Joel felt his already-fracturing heart crumble into pieces. He didn’t want to check his communicator, he just didn’t want to because he didn’t know if he could handle the truth. He saw Tango pull out his communicator, shock written all over his face. And Joel just had to look over and see—

“JIMMY!” 

Once again, he felt his sanity slipping. He was already in a horrible state but to lose his wife and his best friend, barely ten minutes apart from each other… Joel wanted to curse this world and its twisted sense of humor. 

Tears stung Joel’s eyes and his breathing became more ragged. This wasn’t happening, this wasn’t happening. He nearly fell to his knees in despair but he knew he had to keep running. And, as if the universe wasn’t already having a blast, Joel heard Grian scream.

“Mumbo, LEAVE!” Grian cried, followed by a flash of lightning and Grian screaming Mumbo’s name in distress.

If Joel had any sanity left in him, it had disintegrated the moment the second lightning bolt struck. The only reason why he was still keeping himself together was because he wasn’t red, and the bloodlust hadn’t kicked in. Never has he wanted to be red so badly, to hurt someone and get revenge and take out the rest of this bloody world. 

How could he lose three of the people he cared about in rapid succession? Lizzie died trying to kill Scott (the fact that Joel was responsible for it left a horrible taste in his mouth); Jimmy couldn’t run from the warden fast enough; and Joel barely even got to know Mumbo and he was already gone. They barely had any time to spend together because of the stupid task mechanics that separated the Mounders more than it brought them together.

He had surpassed his breaking point. He wasn’t even red but he tasted blood in his mouth and his heart was pounding in his ears. 

(Everyone he loved had withered away but Joel was still here. But he didn’t know if he wanted to be here.)

—----------------------------

The Wither was defeated but that didn’t mean shit to Joel. Not when it felt like he’d lost everything. 

Part of him wanted to wither away as well. But that would mean giving up. Joel was a lot of things but he sure as hell wasn’t a quitter. 

Skizz told Joel to win for Lizzie. Well, Joel was going to take it a few steps further and win for Lizzie, Jimmy, and Mumbo. He’d rise above this somehow. 

Exhausted and on the verge of tears, Joel walked back to his fairground, clutching a wither rose in his hand. He doesn't remember when or why he picked it up, but holding the stem gave him a little bit of stability. He couldn’t tell if he was bleeding from the withering effect, the thorns in the rose, or from his nails digging into his palms but it didn’t bother him. He had more important things to worry about, such as finding a way to kill Scott.

In the end, the florist could only send regards to himself. 

Last life members songs

For the Aesthetic-

None Shall Live- Thomas Bergeson. No lyrics, but the sense of impending doom that is the whole Last Life series. Anotherone Bites the Dust by Queen. Another one just for the aesthetic as they slowly are killed. Kill the lights by Set it off. This whole vibe is what the last few sessions were, people dying everywhere.

members songs:

bdubs- I'm Something Else by SomeThingElseyt. I like to imagine he puts on his moss cape every morning listening to this song.

Etho Revenge by TryhardNinja. Thats pretty obvious, but after Bdubs is killed he goes after them and gets his revenge

Grain Brothers Till the End by Ottomatic. This is a good song for when he got put on red. He and Joel going on a rampage, but being entirely unprepared.

Impulse Ain't No Crying by Derivakat. Yes, I know a Dream Smp song, but the lyrics are what goes through his head as he dies on the nether roof.

Mumbo Catch me if you Can by Set it Off. This is how he taunts Grian as he stills things

Pearl Let's kill tonight by Panic! At the Disco. Pearl and Scott did so much in their time together with some of the most lives between the two of them until she turned red.

Ren Kings Rise and Fall by Freedom Call. He was the Red King, but became a loyal soldier to Lizzie, only to be betrayed by her later. There's probably a good mumford and sons song for him, but this is my ideas.

Tango Wait in the Light by Shaman's Harvest. It strangely fits with his motif of anger as he goes on a "rage" but also as he causes himself to "wait in the light".

Cleo- Traitor by Olivia Rodrigo. Cleo didn't trust anyone, and still got managed to get burned each time.

BigB Will the Sun Ever Rise by Five Finger Death Punch. Yest a lot of these are metal bands, but this is what he feels as he, Ren and Martyn are the only three green life left, as he was the cause of the fracture between their alliance.

Martyn The Best Day Ever by Spongebob. Grab the tissues. This is what Martyn listens to as he waits for the impending doom, remembering the good times in the Southern lands.

Lizzie Angel with a Shotgun by The Cab. I know this is classicaly a Flower Husbands song, but the rampage she goes on in the last episode, trying to kill both Joel and Jimmy, while trying to play sides with them. She is the "Angel" with a shotgun.

Joel Partners in Crime by Set it off. This is totally for Joel and Grian as they're on red lives.

Scar Burn by Phillipa Soo. I like the whole vibe of him turning red, while it didn't pan out as much, but him just wrecking the server as the only red name. also Deal with Destiny as he's the only real salesman on the server.

Scott Not gonna DIe by Skillet. Thinking lorewise, as him he is the last survivor, he is the only one left.

Jimmy Bang by AJR. Sorry Jimmy Timmy, but you got out first twice in a row.

Skizzleman Sugar, we're goin down by Fall Out Boy. Mumbo and Skizz never really had a chance, lets be honest.

Inspired by my BC Fan Week dad!Joonas short: the rest of the guys as uncles

@the-killer-queenie​ just sent me a darling DM with her own ideas of it and now I want to add more: the other members as uncles (and Joonas as a dad). And if you’re cool with it, I included your original DM that inspired it at the end.

Also, perfect timing because there was a discussion of BC dad/uncle headcanons in the Violent Pop server while I was cleaning, so this one’s also for you guys 🥂

Under the read-more for length:

Joonas:

His first reaction when he found out he was going to be a dad was pure fear. He doubted that he would ever be a good one and that he would end up ruining his daughter’s life. While the anxieties lingered (and still do, even with her here), he learned to grow into the idea. He became super protective of his girlfriend, calling every chance he got while he was either in the Netherlands or on tour to make sure that she was comfortable. She got annoyed super fast by how fussy he was, but she understood that he was excited and anxious and only wanted the best for them. He was the one to suggest the name Sohvi and started calling her by it long before she was even born.

Despite finding out about the pregnancy in April, they waited until almost the end of June to make the news public. It was a big all-in-one announcement: a small gender reveal at home with a cake and a letterboard with her birthday and initials (name was kept secret until she arrived). This all conveniently happened before the tour so the crowd went into the show knowing about her. As much as he would have loved to invite his girlfriend to more summer tour shows, he wanted to make sure she wasn’t overexposed to the heat and stress of being in a large crowd. When she does come to one of the shows in Helsinki, he sets her up with an air conditioned room backstage. Every time they were sitting next to each other, he would instinctively hold her belly. Whenever he was at home, he would sing to them so Sohvi could hear his voice. Eventually, she would kick when he started singing, almost like she knew he was there.

Joonas would be a fantastic girl dad! The night before every tour, he lets her paint his nails any color she wants, and he refuses to take it off no matter how messy it is or how chipped it gets. It becomes like a tradition for them, mostly so she can get used to the idea of him being gone for long periods of time. When she can come to local shows, she does the make-up for him and the rest of the guys (the ones who wear it, at least). They play an acoustic version of one of their songs (something like My Heart is a Hurricane) for whenever she can join them on stage; it’s a small break for the ones who aren’t playing and a chance for her to see them perform without noise-cancelling headphones.

He takes super adorable pictures of and with her, and whenever he posts something of her and her mom together, he calls them “his girls.” He would also certainly have her name and her birthday (November 15) in Roman numerals tattooed over his heart. Every year around Christmas time, they take a family weekend vacation to Rovaniemi to visit Santa’s village. In all, he would surprise a lot of people - and himself - by fitting into the role so well and so quickly. He’s not a perfect dad, but he tries his best.

The “responsible” uncles:

Tommi:

Tommi would almost certainly be her favorite uncle. He’s just such a massive teddy bear in general that she loves whenever she can get a hug from him. When they go out as a group, especially to festivals, he carries her around on his shoulders so she can feel tall and see the other bands perform better. I get vibes from him that he’s the best cook out of the group, so whenever he’s on babysitting duty, he makes her the best meals. He likes to wrestle and playfully rough house with her to make her laugh. It’s not uncommon for her to fall asleep while he’s holding her because he’s that comfy to rest on. After the Bass Incident, he became the top candidate for being her godfather.

Olli:

You know, until last week, I thought that Olli would be the best choice for being her godfather, but after the lost bass fiasco I don’t think he can be trusted with a child lol. But he’s still one of the responsible uncles regardless! When she’s super young, sometimes she gets him and her dad confused with each other because their hair and instruments look so similar (see also: this vine). He’s the one who likes to take her out to the park and then get ice cream with her afterwards. He also has zero shame about letting her put a tiara on him and invite him to her tea party, and he plays along with it too. When he’s on babysitting duty, he reads her stories and sometimes narrates them with different voices.

Aleksi:

He’s the chill responsible uncle. He works so often that he rarely ever gets time to hang out with her outside of the studio like the others do, but they spend the most time together while he works. He holds her while he works at his laptop and lets her watch the cool colors and coding scroll across the screen. He’s the first one to volunteer to hold her if Joonas has to go in the other room to record his parts, and typically the first one to volunteer to take care of her last-minute. When she gets a little older, between song editing sessions, he’ll open a fresh file and let her “record” her own songs. Of course, they almost never leave his laptop, but it’s the thought that counts.

The “irresponsible” uncles:

Niko:

Okay, so Niko is one of the “irresponsible” ones but almost certainly a little better than Joel at the job. What puts him in this category is that he swears like a sailor even when she’s in the room because he forgets that kids are sponges and absorb everything they see and hear. He also has no problem throwing some chicken nuggets in the oven and calling it a day, so he needs to be reminded that she has to eat more than that. But he’s still a loving uncle, he just needs someone to help him babysit lol. He lets her play with his hair when they’re hanging out together, and when she gets older, he teaches her how to play the piano. She loves when he sings to her and she’ll request certain songs from him. He’s also the uncle who encourages her to just talk and talk (building up her communication skills) by pretending that they’re gossiping together (“oh really? what did he do next? tell me more!”)

This post is totally Niko, by the way:

Joel:

Joel... love this boy, but he’s without a doubt the least responsible of the uncles. It’s mostly because he can spend maybe an hour and a half maximum with her before he hits a wall of exhaustion and is ready to send her back to her parents. When he’s with others who can help him take care of her, he can hang out with her a little bit longer. He also has no idea how to actually hang out with a child in a kid-friend context. Admittedly, he was the least excited to find out that she was coming because he thought that meant Joonas was going to leave the band. He needed tons of confirmation before he warmed up to the idea of becoming an uncle. But that doesn’t make him a totally bad uncle. He treats her like a member of his own family as well and he’s great at making her laugh. He’s also the first to jump to her or Joonas’ defense on Instagram if tabloids (or someone like That Bitch Archie Cruz) make defamatory comments about them.

The original HC:

Assigning some Ferry's songs to Last Life characters

I just happened to listen a lot of Ferry while brainrotting LL and now you have to deal with it

Some of those more about just the vibe of the song, some have fitting lyrics, you know the drill

RAPID TRANSIT - This song can be pretty much about all red lifers (like, overall), but if i had to choose only one as the most fitting to this song, i would pick Joel. Not really much explanations here, it just works in my head.

Mr Fox And The Disheartened Girl - Oh, this one is Martyn for sure. To be more specific, i think this song kinda fits the whole Watcher lore thing (obviously with Watcher as mr Fox and Martyn as the girl (without, like, wanting to die part)). Plus, i really like "This game is tearing myself and my world from the//Inside" part in regards of him.

The Faulty Feline Philosophy - Definitely Scar, in fact, this song was literally my first thought after i watched his session 5 video. "For the first time I felt pure excitement//At the limitless prospect of the mad//Adventures to be had | The counter's set to number 9//I'm feeling so alive" - well uh change 9 to 6 (because thats how many lives Scar got at the start which is max amount of lives you could get at the start bla bla you already know that), this goes hard. "With my flesh all torn to shreds//I see the number tick to null//I guess there was a certain death//I failed to take into account" - this part goes both for his final death (obviously, "number tick to null") and at the same time for him turning red at the end of 5th session (at the start of that session he had 7 lives, so having only 1 at the end is really not that different from having none.)

The rest under the cut.

DEAD HAND - Oooh this one is 4th-7th session Grian&Mumbo, i listened to DH far too many times after 4th session (and then after 5th. and then after 6th. and then- im a sad man). The song sounds very "something goes wrong and everything is catastrophically crumbling down and ends badly" which is. Very the vibes i getting from them. "The grave is all too lonely without your sickly body by my side" - lord almighty; "What a shame, you may call it senseless//But I am now devoid of what I would call//"The hindrance of love"" - goes very well with Grian becoming red after The Ghast Farm Incident; "Greetings from the underworld" - i feel sick im so normal about the whole "We can still be friends" bit. "A vision of you fades away like a mirage//Oh, it's a beautiful catastrophe" - woo hoo Grian got a life and became yellow again , the boys are reunited- what is it, the 6th sesession, Mumbo is boogey, everything happens, Mumbo is red now, its barely the start of the session. YEP beautiful catastrophe. ""Oh, this is all wrong!"//But I don't mind at all//Turn up the volume//Execute the protocol//You know it's M.A.D//And it's all about to blow" - "We can still be friends" bit? That part where Mumbo basically blew up pretty big chunk of Southlands? Dare i say, that part of 7th session that ended up in Grian permakilling Jimmy and Mumbo? i feel sick ("M.A.D" is Mutually Assured Destruction, we do not look at what it is irl (because we already ignoring here the whole what is Dead Hand system, we just doing some "haha those funky lyrics fits blockman stuff"), we just taking the phrase and run with it okay?) "What an unfortunate way to end this show//I shed a tear as you vanish in the snow" - just end me already.

through me to you - This one feels like BigB&Cleo (more BigB, than Cleo, but you get me) post BigB murdering Cleo. This song has that bittersweet and nostalgic vibe, "reminds of the things i've lost and won't ever be able to get back, things i regret, things i wish i'd done differently" (quote from comments under the song, it explained my thoughts very well and i suck at explaining my thoughts myself)

I hate it! - This one is Tango (6th-8th session). It sounds like an anger you can't do anything about, some sort of frustration. There isnt really any lyrics to point out (ok, kinda lying, "And in the end just one sorry note sorry note escapes my throat" is kinda fun in relation to the sounds of rage that Tango made after being murdered by Bdubs), the song just fits him pretty well imo.

Hack Writer - OK. LET'S PREFACE IT WITH ONE THING - I COMPLETELY (98%) IGNORED THE LYRICS english is not my first language its easy for me. That's not what i usually do, i'm all for fitting lyrics, but my brain heard the music spinning and whirling (idk how to really explain it) and went - yeah, that does give off some red life Mumbo vibes. Here's instrumental for that song.

hardbass night - I can't really explain why, but this song gives off huge Pearl vibe. Trust me, I'm russian (/hj). Plus, it's fun to assign a song, that is basically some sort of trashy rave music to a person, who blew up someone in a dancing room.

dopamine_machine - This one is also red life Mumbo. "Oh, this one is completely different vibe from Hack Writer-" well that's because now i look at him in the context of Grian&Mumbo storyline ("You’re running lemonade at thirty-six degrees centigrade//Inside your lemon veins//And your heart’s a lemon grenade" lemon(ade) -> yellow -> well, who was yellow when Mumbo was red? Just end me-). "And feel the taste of lead//Again, my friend" - ok the definition of "lead" in the song is supposed to be "metal" one, but since "lead" also means some sort of winning position, we are taking it instead. Something something these lyrics (the whole outro tbh) fitting to Mumbo being permakilled by Grian something something yes, i heard "my friend" part and went absolutely bonkers.

Bonus:

Occam's razor - This one is Grian&Mumbo again. i talk about them a lot here. not my problem tho. Starting with the whole Verse 1 ("So, I see, I found myself pinned up against another//Impenetrable wall//No, it won't take long at all//Short talk and go, don't look so shocked, come on!//It's fine//And even though I think this could be our goodbye//There's defiance in your eyes//Ah, of course, it must be pitiful to see someone with a face like this//Even if that somebody is me...") and, fuck it, the Chorus after ("It's a dead-end endeavor, it's time you understood//That this whole situation won't bring you any good!//Oh, I know that your heart's beating faster than it should//But I can't let you in - wouldn't even if I could") - Ghast Farm incident-"We can still be friends" bit goes brrrrr. "But I can't let you in, even though I wish I could" from songs outro just hurts me here on emotional level.

message lost - This one is Etho&Bdubs. I can't even explain the feeling that this song gave me, and why is it so them. It's just fits.

[guess what, its 17.10.2022 and its a lil update time, because brainrot staying strong fellas]

Convergence - take a wild guess. Yeah it's Grian&Mumbo (im not really over them lmao) , specifically 5-7 session vibes. ill spare myself and just put some fitting lyrics lmao: "Too naive to run on the edge of the knife//This is the worst [BEST] mistake I [YOU] could make in [YOUR] my life//To spark a flame I was [YOU WERE] never meaning to light//I never wanted to [YOU'RE SMART ENOUGH TO NOT] ignite//A losing fight//[RIGHT?]" || "So now that we are caught in a candid shot//And I know it’s all my fault//My blood’s running cold, yet//The air is getting hot//Every single word hits another nasty spot" || "As I've anticipated//Looks like your sense of decency has long degraded//But don’t forget with whom you are associated//Which sounds unfair, but fair play is overrated" || "It’s not about the strength, it’s about where you strike//You see, by now I’ve got no more dust left to bite//I’ve weaponized my helpless spite//Now how about that pride of yours?"

Ferry Medley // 22 Song Vocaloid Medley (by tart) - i just like that medley :]

BOOM! : FloodHounds 'Something Primeval'

"Come together, it's all or nothing now!" These are the lyrics bellowing over raw and chugging guitar riffs and pounding drum crashes on the new track 'Something Primeval', words seeming inconsequential at the time lead singer, Jack Flynn, wrote them down, but now seem more poignant than ever. Along with Jack, drummer Lauren Greaves and bassist Joel Hughes make up the rest of the trio known as FloodHounds, a band who have steadily gained a reputation for their raucous live shows as well as their undeniable ability to write blues infused indie rock bangers. The band's new single, 'Something Primeval', is the second of two tracks recorded with producer, Thomas Mitchener, an occasional member of Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, and producer of two Rattlesnakes albums - an influence you can feel throughout. The first track 'Out of Time' was premiered on BBC's Introducing as their Record of The Week. Check out FloodHounds latest track 'Something Primeval' below: We had the pleasure of having a very socially distanced chat with lead singer, Jack Flynn, check it out below: What's the origin story for the band? Some mates of mine were doing Litter Picking at Glastonbury (great little life hack for guaranteed Glasto tickets) and became friends with Lauren’s mates from Leeds. We were all on a big night out in Leeds together and I was saying how our drummer had escaped to Australia and I couldn’t record, when someone said; “Lauren’s a drummer!” She subbed in so I could record a few songs, and never left. After that, we’d been planning to audition a load of bass players, when another Sheffield musician Jamie Heawood introduced us to Joel. He came along and it turned out he’d learnt a whole set of our songs in just a few days and fitted in so well that was it. Job done! Which artists would you reference as an influence on the band's sound? I was brought up on Hendrix & The White Stripes, all the classic “guitar” stuff. For ages I only seemed to like bands that had all split up or died before I had even discovered them, which was annoying. But that’s all changed, now we pretty much only listen to brand new music, because there are so many incredible bands around right now. Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Kid Kapichi, The Blinders, Saint Agnes, BlackWaters, Strange Bones, Calva Louise, Demob Happy, the list is endless. Joel hops between old school punk like NOFX to Childish Gambino. Lauren loves a bit of everything from the electro swing of Dutty Moonshine to filthy blues rock like Gary Clark Jr. What was the inspiration behind the new single? I had come up with this swampy, chugging little guitar riff, which I felt had a kind of sinister tone that could soundtrack some sort of hunter moving through the jungle. I don’t know maybe I had some Attenborough on in the background or something but it just sort of set me off with a bunch of animal metaphors basically questioning how deep our primeval instincts run, and whether to trust them or not. Sort of concluding that our advantage compared to the animals is our ability to come together if you want to solve problems and survive. Not literally though! I wrote the “come together, it’s all or nothing now” lyrics way before social distancing was the new normal. What have the band been up to in quarantine? We’ve been rearranging our songs for a few live streams, like the one we did one for Jägermeister which is up on their YouTube channel now. It’s been a great opportunity for songwriting and we’ve got some feisty new tracks that I’m dying to get started on. We’ve also recorded an entire acoustic album at home. I went a bit overboard, adding strings and other instruments we’ll never be able to orchestrate in real life. But it sounds mega. Acoustic is fun but we’re a noisy rock band so now we’re recording some electric sessions individually in isolation to compile together for a ‘live’ video at some point. Other than that, Lauren is growing an avocado tree in a pint glass on her window sill, and Joel is conducting some very serious experiments combining different flavours of hot sauce for the ultimate taste sensation. What's one album or artist that you've had on repeat during the lockdown? I’ve been listening to a lot of Black Futures. They’re such a cool hybrid between electronic music and punk rock. It reminds me of The Prodigy. They build the tension like a masterful DJ, but when it gets to the drop it’s not a bleep bloopy synth line, it’s an absolutely filthy guitar riff and a monstrous drum kit with a screeching vocal thrown in for good measure, it’s great. I might even have to download a virtual drum machine and figure out how the hell to make our own remixes. I mean now is the perfect time for that sort of experiment right? Is there anything fans can do to help support young bands such as yourselves during this time? Without gigs, it’s pretty hard to raise funds to record new music, so buying a bands merch is probably a straightforward way to do it, and get something back yourself! Even if you already have the T-Shirt, buy it as a gift for someone else, the band will appreciate it big time. Other than that, if a band is releasing anything new, give it a share either publicly or just privately pass the link on to somebody you think might like it. Have you learnt anything about yourself while being stuck inside? Seems a perfect time for self-reflection. That’s a hard one. I’ve kind of just buried my head into writing, recording and keeping busy rather than stopping and reflecting too much. Maybe those reflections will come out in song form without even realising. I guess I’ve learned to enjoy the little things more, and that you can survive on a lot less than you thought you could as long as you prioritise what is really important. If you could choose any 3 musicians/artists (dead or alive) to quarantine with, who would they be and why? Well all drummers are banned. You can’t have them scratching their rhythm itch by bashing away on the walls like something out of STOMP every day. Same goes for the Iggy Pops of the world, after a week they would do your head in and I bet he’d leave the flat in a mess. So I’d probably go for some relaxed jazz or reggae musicians, maybe a couple trip hop producers who aren’t too high intensity, so let’s say Charlie Parker, Fat Freddy’s Drop, and Zero 7. Plans to tour or go back to normality have been put on hold indefinitely but does the band have anything planned going forward? After we’ve released ‘Something Primeval’ we’ve got a music video filmed in Sheffield’s gothic looking medieval bear pit in on a freezing Sunday in February to put out, then we’ll be doing a few live sessions where we can. But yep once we’re allowed out I think it’ll be back to the studio to get the next batch of tunes ready. We’ve got so many songs up our sleeve now so it’ll be tough deciding which one makes the cut for recording but that’s part of the fun.

FloodHounds Official Site - https://www.floodhounds.com/ FloodHounds Official Merch Site - https://floodhounds.bigcartel.com/products FloodHounds YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/FloodHounds FloodHounds Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/FloodHounds FloodHounds Twitter Page - @FloodHounds Read the full article

[3] Still Waters [Bokuto]

Genre: Soulmate AU!; Bokuto/Reader

Warnings: Mentions of sex, eventual nsfw.

Notes: New year, same me tbh. :’) Now that this chapter is done, I’ll be working on a few requests before I move on to the next part. Thanks for being patient with me.

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3)

“Game is running late. Go home without me.”

The screen darkened as you shoved it back into your uniform pocket. You winced as the book cart made an ungodly creaking sound when you nudged it further down the aisle. While some of your friends liked to run around a volleyball court after school, you preferred the quiet solitude of the library. Aisles and aisles of books, each categorized and alphabetized, made you feel at peace. Sometimes the work was mundane but it helped get your mind off the hum and drum of your daily life.

You waved at the librarian as you wheeled past her desk and she smiled, giving you a nod. “Thanks for your help today, ___-kun. I don’t know how we’d manage without you,” she smiled, pushing up the bridge of her antique wire frames.

“Same time tomorrow?” you nodded, grabbing your bag from behind the counter.

“Looking forward to it already, dear.”

Even though classes were out for the day, students were still running about campus. From the sound of an open window, you heard a metal ping followed by erupting cheers. It sounded like the volleyball club wasn't the only sport that had a game scheduled. Today seemed like just any other day and yet you couldn't shake the feeling that you were being watched.

The words on the page of the book you were reading seemed to muddle together, making it difficult to concentrate. However it was easy to notice the way people glanced at you as you walked by. Some even turned to whisper to a friend. You tried not to listen, tried to block it out and stride proudly but not before casually yet cautiously brushing your hands down your uniform. Was there something on your face? Did you step in something gross?

Your mind was about to put the last possibility to rest when you finally came to the school gates.

He stuck out like a sore thumb in a sea of pinkies with his exuberant hairstyle and towering height. You recognized the volleyball uniform. You even recognized him. He was the captain of the Fukurodani volleyball club, yet his name escaped you. He was one of the many boys at the summer training camp you volunteered at. And of course, if he was here, then his equally tall partner in crime, Kuroo Tetsurou couldn’t be too far behind. No doubt hiding in a safe spot so he could watch this train wreck unfold.

Why was he waiting at the school gates? Better yet, why was he staring right at you? His golden eyes locked onto your approaching form, brightening like two twinkling stars.

“___-chan!” he called out, waving frantically with one hand while the other remained suspicious tucked behind his back.

“Y-yeah, that's me,” you confirmed and he laughed as if to convey, ‘Well of course it's you, silly.’

The sound of something rustling behind him piqued your attention. But before you could even inquire, a bundle of daisies were shoved into your face. “I think you’re really cute! Like...the cutest! Will you go out with me?”

“Wait...what?”

You jumped when Bokuto made a frustrated exclamation, tipping his head back in disappointment. “Augh! I thought that was a really good confession! Did you really not hear it?”

“No, I heard it. I’m just having a hard time believing it.”

But he knew that tone, the way your eyebrows furrowed in contemplation and doubt. Suddenly the bouquet in his hands weighed on his heart like a ball and chain, dragging him through the mud.

Your mind was whirling at the miles to minutes rate, wondering how you came to be standing here. You had barely said more than a few words to Bokuto at the training camp, apologizing when you both reached for a paper plate at the same time during the celebratory barbecue. He thought he felt a connection when he met your eyes, but it turned out he was the only one.

“You’re going to say no, aren’t you?”

“I’m sorry,” you smiled apologetically. “I’m flattered but...I don’t even know you.”

“I know.”

“And you don’t even know me,” you added, staring up at him with purpose.

He hated the way you were looking at him. Like you were holding back. Like you had so much more to say, but you were trying to protect him. He may not have known much about you, but he could say the walls you were erecting in front of him spoke volumes. In fact, there was not much else to say. Bokuto stood there like a statue, unsure of where to go or what to do from here.

“Are those for me?” you said, nodding your head at the daisies, who looked like they were being suffocated by his grip.

“Yeah, you can still have them if you want,” he offered, holding them out to you again.

“I’ll take good care of them, I promise,” you smiled, lifting them up to your nose. Your fingers brushed against the petals as you removed one from the bundle and offered it to him.

“Bokuto-san, right?” He nodded at your clarification. God how stupid could he be? You barely knew his name and here he was, asking you out on a date.

“Bokuto-san, you seem really sweet but I can’t date someone I don’t know. But if you want,” he perked up at your words. “We can start off by being friends?”

“Yeah, sure. Friends.”

[---]

If you and Bokuto thought you could escape to the dance floor and be exempt from drinking, the two of you had another thing coming. It didn’t take very long for Kuroo to catch on and drag you both back to the bar. The sky was dark and the stars had come out to play too, perfectly accented by the hanging paper lanterns that decorated the outdoor patio.

Maybe it was the two margaritas and one pina colada you had earlier, but you could have sworn that Bokuto was almost glowing. He had a bright aura surrounding him that was so warm and inviting that any reluctance you had about dancing and possibly making a fool of yourself promptly dissolved. His energy was infectious and you found yourself inching closer and closer to him, like reaching your hand out towards an open flame. You knew the risk of getting burned, yet you ignored it for the promise of warmth and heat.

There was a shared look of recognition when a familiar song blared from the speakers. The two of you cheered and Bokuto erupted into a fit of bubbly flails and cheesy dance moves. He just couldn’t help himself. The song brought back so many memories of college and study sessions in the library where he turned up Billy Joel’s ‘Uptown Girl’ for an impromptu dance break.

Kuroo rolled his eyes when Bokuto began mouthing the words, while keeping his eyes locked on yours. Bokuto’s heart squeezed in his chest upon seeing you double over in laughter. You were swaying casually along with the music, but Bokuto was all seductive hips and enticing rolls. Where did he learn how to move like that? Better yet, who taught him how to move like that? The thought of Bokuto dancing with someone else, laughing, and having fun made an ugly feeling arise in your heart. Was it jealousy?

It felt almost wrong, the way you were staring at him. Your eyes trailed up his legs, pausing for a shameful half minute at his hips and crotch before moving up to his abs and then jumping up to his face. His eyes were closed and he knew he was simply feeling the music, letting it wash over him in waves. He was dancing to forget, even if it was just for a while. He could forget about all about Yukino, a fellow teacher and one of many who had opened his heart but left it bleeding out in the cold.

“You guys are looking a little too crazy out there! Why don’t we slow things down for a bit, yeah?” the singer announced as the band relaxed into a mellower song.

Immediately, dancers began to pair off or retreat to the sanctity of the bar to wait it out. You glanced up at Bokuto who looked thoroughly confused. “Is there no more dancing for the night?”

“No, Kou, they're just playing a slow song right now,” you translated for him.

“O-oh! My bad. Did you want to go back?”

“No, do you?” you asked, taking his hand into yours. You settled his hands on your waist and then reached up for his shoulders.

“No. I don’t.”

He wondered if you felt it too, the way his heart squeezed in chest when you held his hand. Bokuto couldn’t remember the last time he had ever slow danced with someone before. Maybe it was at his cousin's wedding, when he hid his self-pity under laughs and let his equally exuberant aunt drag his single ass out onto the dance floor. But this was different. Everything was different.

You were so small and so soft. You hadn't changed a bit in that regard. He felt a little lame for letting you take the lead, but it was probably for the best since you seemed to know what you were doing. With your help, you and Bokuto swayed back and forth in his arms along with the music. “Koutarou?”

“Hm?” he blinked, snapping out of his temporary daze.

“Are you feeling better?”

“Feeling better? About what? Did I do something?”

But the concerned look on your face gave him the slightest hint that you weren’t talking about him getting a faceful of ocean or frying out in the sun. “Oh...that,” he trailed off, yet his hold on your waist tensed.

“I’m fine, I’m fine! I promise.”

Bokuto knew better. He knew better than to try to lie to you. Maybe he was an open book but where most people would have just walked by without a second glance, you sat down and took the time to read him. And oh, you read him from cover to cover.

“Kou, you know you can tell me anything, right?” you asked, genuine concern glowing in your eyes.

“Yeah, I know,” he muttered quietly.

He didn’t feel like telling you anything. Not now. Not when he wanted to savor every little detail about this moment. He was taller and bigger than you but he wanted nothing more than to lay his head on your shoulder, and wrap his arm around your middle, breathing in the smell of home. Maybe it was from the long day of sunshine and volleyball or maybe it was from his emotions translating into physical weight. He could feel his head beginning to droop, his face nearing yours.

But you stopped him. A soft weight on his chest halted him dead in his tracks. Your head was mere inches away from his heart. Bokuto was sure you could hear the way it hammered in his chest and yet, you were silent. No words needed to be said. You just danced with him, a content yet tired smile on your lips.

Sometimes it hurt. It hurt to look at you, to be near you. The pain came and went in intervals. Whenever he thought he had found someone else and was ready to move on, you came barreling back into his heart. All it would take was one thoughtful text to check if he got home ok after drinks or a warm hug when he was feeling less than himself for the lingering feelings to come back, full circle. He felt so stuck in the past, yet he knew it was more than just a silly high school crush.

“____?”

“Yes?”

“Thanks…”

“For what?”

“For being here. For making sure I don't do anything stupid.”

For being patient, kind, and loyal. For reminding him of how much he missed you, even though he saw you so regularly. He missed you.

“You don't have to thank me. I know you would have done the same for me in a heartbeat.”

Which was why you never had the heart to tell him whenever you experienced rejection, loss, or hurt. You knew he would drop everything to be by your side. Not because he felt obligated to but because he genuinely cared for you.

As the song began to fade, you lifted your head from his chest and looked up at him. Your soft warm eyes stared up into his still tender golden ones, but it was a look that he had never seen from you before.

“Koutarou, can I kiss you?” you asked, your voice barely audible above the murmur of the crowd around you.

But he knew from the way your lips moved. It was an easily discernible pattern for Bokuto, a sequence he had seen countless times in his dreams. His mind was struggling to form words, nod his head, or even give you some form of response. He would give anything to know what was going on in that beautiful brain of yours, especially when you held his shoulders a little tighter and leaned close, a dash of pink on your cheeks. He closed his eyes, welcoming you with open arms.

Your lips were so soft if not a little chapped from the heat. You tasted like bitter limes, salt, and a false sense of summer. There was a sharp gasp from your throat when he tugged you closer, desperate for body to body contact. Your hands flew into his hair, playing with the slightly coarse grey and silver strands. Bokuto felt the rest of the world melt away as you pulled apart, your lips still millimeters from yours. Your combined shuddered breaths mingled and warmed the space between you.

One kiss. That was all it took for you to throw all caution and future consequence into the wind.

“That was...wow.” Oh, there it was. His voice had come back after abandoning him.

You smiled up at him, cupping his cheek and rubbing the apples with your thumb. He closed his eyes and leaned into your touch, savoring every bit of affection yet hungry for more.

“This is so selfish…” you admitted, your hand slowly slipping from his face but he stopped you by placing his hand over yours.  

“What’s selfish?” he asked, fingers closing around yours.

“I want you all to myself. I want to be alone with you again.”

You noted the way his Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat as he swallowed heavily. “You have me,___. I'm all yours,” he smiled, giving your hand a warm squeeze.

Given the minimal drinks he has in his system, you grew a little concerned when Bokuto stumbles a little on his way back to the hotel room but it seemed more like giddy excitement than drunken stupor. You struggled to keep up with his long strides, your hands joined together for the journey.

Neither of you had any idea what was about to unfold in the next few hours and how it would alter your destinies forever. His hand was stuttering when he attempted to unlock the door, but he could almost feel your intent, your desire to seek refuge inside that safe and solitary space in his arms. And there you are in an instant, as soon as the door latches open.

There's a desperation in your kiss that wasn't there in the first one. He has you in his arms, the two of you standing frozen in the entryway of the room. Your lips are pressed harder against his, moving together and trying to find that perfect rhythm. Everything fell into place so easily, so perfectly, he wondered if there was some part of you that still carried reservations. Bokuto pulled away from your lips, his own trembling for a moment as he gathered himself.

“I’d like to make love to you tonight,” he whispered against your lips, his hand stroking the side of your face. “Is that ok?”

Your words from that fateful day at the school gates were always ringing in his ears. You said you wanted to get to know each other first, give friendship a try. And you had, and he wouldn’t give it up for anything. But he didn’t know if he could keep that promise anymore, and he didn’t know what would happen if he took this next leap of faith. But he knew he could never live with himself if he never found out.

You nod, smiling softly as your toes curl in anticipation. “It’s more than ok, Koutarou.”