you had me at hello ✿

Don’t You Want Me || Damily

DAVID woke up from the spell with the rush of the applause, backing up immediately before he could let himself think what he’d been about to think, waving at the crowd as he put an arm out to Emily to hold her hand and bow. Holding her hand was safe, so long as he didn’t look in her eyes again, not for a bit. He let the audience have his affection instead, soaking in their love and sending it back with his megawatt smile before hurrying off the stage and waiting for Emily to be by his side so he could whisper, “You really are as good as you say,” as nonchalantly as possible, not wanting to seem too excited.

“And did you see how they ate us up? If we’re captains together, we’ll be unstoppable. No one else has our chemistry. Musically, that is,” David corrected himself, wanting to slap himself for how much that last qualifier felt like a lie. The last thing he needed was a distraction.

#para #para:david #david #para 01 #para:dontyouwantme

EMILY had never felt this complete buzz of electricity around someone before; it even crackled through her fingertips and up through her whole body even just by David grabbing her hand to bow. Was this what people thought was so great about relying on someone else for their happiness? Because she’d never had anything zap all her senses like this during her brief relationship with Leo, and even the thrill of the audience staring at her wasn’t stopping her from being acutely aware of how close David still was to her, even as they exited the stage.

“I admit, you lived up to expectations. A tough feat to accomplish,” Emily conceded in reply, her heart pattering irregularly in her chest as she said it. It took all her restraint not to start gushing about how incredible they’d been; fortunately, his reminder that their chemistry was all musical helped her with damming up any other thoughts that had been racing through her mind. “Of course; our vocal chemistry is undeniable. I certainly hope Tina was in the audience, because if she was the choice for soloists at the competition -- and captains next year -- should be the easiest choice of her life.”

Don’t You Want Me || Damily

DAVID felt her hand on his chest as an afterthought to the music booming around them, pouring out of them, encircling them in a smaller spotlight than the one beaming on them, one that they created and existed only for them. While he’d intended to keep alternating eye contact with the audience and with Emily, she had him hooked and he found that looking away from her almond eyes was impossible. How could a color so dark reflect enough light that he could see himself in them, working the audience and the song perfectly? Or, at least, that’s how it felt, with her voice layered on top of his and his hand raising to cover hers: perfect.

The song passed in a blur of music and touch and those almond eyes. Before he knew it, unsure even if the song was still happening around them, he and Emily were face to face, eyelash distance away. He must’ve been hunched over, or she must’ve been on her toes, but however it happened, the breath he was exhaling was the same she was, like their voices had legitimately shared the song, and he was dumbstruck. He couldn’t move, stuck in not a position but a moment in time, the moment everything had hit the right chord.

#para #para:david #david #para 01 #para:dontyouwantme

EMILY didn’t want the song to end. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this alive; if she was being honest, she walked through her days a lot of the time going through the motions, trying to find something that made her happy. The sound of her own voice, blending in perfect harmony with David’s, was more than she could have dreamed of, and later, when she thought back on it, she’d be surprised she hadn’t needed more validation from the audience to know that it was perfect. It just felt right; she didn’t need to look to them for that affirmation, she just knew, looking in David’s eyes, that he felt it too.

Emily was on her tiptoes, but she didn’t know how she’d gotten there. And even then, she shouldn’t have been so close to David’s face, yet she found herself a whisper width away. Her glance flicked down to his lips, then up to his eyes, where she found a gaze as intense as her own looking back at her. Emily couldn’t breathe, in anticipation of what felt like it should happen next...and then the audience started clapping, the harsh sounds of their hands hitting against each other shocking her out of the moment. Suddenly, the world wasn’t just her and David anymore, and she practically jumped away from him, turning to wave at the audience and hoping that there was a triumphant smile on her face rather than a look of the bewilderment she was feeling.

Don’t You Want Me || Damily

DAVID cracked his knuckles, eyes on the stage, focusing on what they would look like up there, when her question interrupted him. The two before them were just finishing now, waiting for applause that came tentatively. “Don’t you have any faith in me, partner?” he smirked at her as they announced their names next. Placing a hand on her back, David directed them towards the stage. He leaned in close to her ear and teasingly-whispered, “Try not to fall in love.” He pulled back with a wink and got onto his position on stage as the music started. The pounding synth beat matched his heart as he tried not to feel nervous. It was just a low stakes performance in a pub. Nerves would do nothing here.

When it was time, he lifted his mic to his lips and started belting out the first verse - “You were working as as waitress in a cocktail bar, when I met you” - playing to the audience and singing it to Emily, reaching his hand out to her and spinning her as the lyrics dictated. She really was a performer. This song was easy enough for his vocals to rest atop it easily, and he knew her higher register in the chorus would really shine, and to top it all, the song really built. As he moved from singing the verse to the hook, he swore he could feel the song building in his chest.

#para #para:david #david #para:dontyouwantme #//omg i'm jealous of how well you captured david's connection with the music lol #//emily's lame in comparison bc i suck lol

EMILY didn’t know why she was surprised that David hadn’t changed things up on her; perhaps because if their positions were reversed, she might have made moves to sabotage him and ensure that she was the best performer in the whole club. Maybe not, though. For the time being it was to her benefit to secure a partner that was on her level, and David was the best candidate now that she had burned bridges with Leo. He might have been the best candidate period, were it not for his ego, larger even than her own. “Oh, please,” she scoffed, her last words before stepping on stage with him. Emily wasn’t sure if the scoff came from finding the idea preposterous or if it was because she hadn’t thought of it first, though.

Though they’d gone over ideas and discussed what their performance should be like, as soon as Emily was on stage, the music took over, erasing all of her overthinking and controlling her movements. David had already hooked the crowd with his dulcet tone, but Emily felt confident that her addition during the chorus improved their performance ten-fold. She looked towards her audience, out into the bright lights she craved to have on her, and then towards David, feeling that an intent gaze on the ‘object of her affection’ -- as per the song, not her own heart, of course -- would raise the stakes of their duet. And as she sang, sure enough, Emily drew closer to him, until she had placed a hand on his chest, as if that was the only thing that could keep them from giving into the music’s call, leaving their audience guessing.

lostlostinthemusic

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The Human League - Don’t You Want Me

#para:dontyouwantme #music

Don’t You Want Me || Damily

DAVID let himself smile briefly at the sight of Emily - she’d taken to following his makeup advice more than other people and it did his heart good to see how good it looked on her. She’d always been cute enough, if he was being honest, but girls had the edge of being able to use makeup and he was glad she was taking it. He felt the urge to reach out and fluff her hair but calmed himself - it was probably fine and he just had unrealistic hair goals. “I almost feel bad for them,” he agreed. “It’s like if the Wiggles were opening for Beyonce.” He reached out and took a glass of water from a passerby, slugging it in one gulp. “You ready to perform? We only get one shot at a first impression.”

#para #para:david #david #para 01 #para:dontyouwantme #//hey look i already failed at being short WHOOPS

EMILY blinked in confusion for a moment, then remembered that the Wiggles were some Muggle children’s group. One of her mother’s many loser boyfriends used to put their tapes on, hoping a younger Emily would be too engrossed to notice the sounds coming from her mother’s room. And she’d obeyed; she’d never asked questions, but her good behavior hadn’t been rewarded with any attention from her mom. Oh well. Today, she’d be up on stage, the shining star of the day, and all those times she’d been ignored would mean nothing in retrospect.

“I was born ready,” Emily retorted, turning to inspect David’s appearance. He was dashingly handsome, really, and she wasn’t sure why more people didn’t appreciate that. But it would work to her advantage when they were on stage, talent paired with their good looks making them stand out in the crowd. The song before them started to wind down, and Emily tilted her head to the side. “And we’re still singing ‘Don’t You Want Me,’ yes? You haven’t gone and changed to something where you’ll outshine me without warning?”

Don’t You Want Me || Damily

TAGGING → David Hansen & Emily MacDonald ( @em-macdonald)

TIMELINE → Sunday, May 8, 2023

SETTING → Hogsmeade, Karaoke night

SUMMARY → Co-Frog-Choir-runner-hopefuls David and Emily prepare to sing together in front of people for the first time and what better test drive than karaoke night?

DAVID checked his reflection in his phone screen - he’d put his and Emily’s name next on the list to sing and he needed to make sure he looked perfect. His hair was perfectly styled, and his skin nourishment charm had worked like, well, a charm - he was practically glowing, even in this dim establishment. Not that it mattered because, unless Emily showed up in the four minutes before their song started, he’d be going solo. Then again, he hadn’t tried too hard to look for her. He knew she’d find him if she really wanted to - he wasn’t too hard to miss, all tall and leaning against the back wall, laughing at everyone else who thought they were talented. It really was a good time, this karaoke business.

#para #para:david #david #para 01 #para:dontyouwantme

EMILY had actually been looking forward to this Hogsmeade trip more than most, thinking that she’d finally have someone to hang out with in the form of David Hansen. Since her falling out with many of the girls in her year, she’d been lonelier that she cared to admit, but unfortunately, today had mostly turned out to be no different...until she’d gone to sign up for karaoke, and seen that David had already signed them up to sing a duet, as planned. Instead of going off to find her duet partner, Emily had gone to the bathroom to make sure that her hair and makeup were still on point, and then had slipped back into the audience as the act before them started singing. Spotting David along the back wall, she joined him with a shake of her head. “They’re not exactly a tough act to follow, are they?”

TEXT MESSAGE ✉ DAMILY

David: Why rely on hope? There's got to be some way to get everyone in the right spirit to take no prisoners - maybe a pregame karaoke at Hogsmeade is what everyone needs. If we do not score too high, we musn't fret - it'll just make us underdogs when you and I take over and make us winners again. Our faces give away how attractive we are, boo :-P

Emily: Should we organize an event for next Hogsmeade weekend? I'm sure Tina would let us make an announcement - then we could show her firsthand how efficient we are at addressing the whole group, she wouldn't be able to question that it was irrefutable fact. I suppose everyone does love an underdog, even if they're a little overdone at this point if you ask me. I think losing our leadership makes us an underdog automatically anyway. True; even if I forewent makeup I'm still stunning :-p

anothergleefulhogwarts-radio

This one goes out to all the random people out there who go to school here but aren’t actually social enough to talk to everybody else – you’re missing out, Emily, David, Blake, and whoever else! I’m not sure if you’re supposed to sing this at the competition or if they just wanted you to hear it, but oh well!

Maybe I have a good reason for not wanting to talk to anyone else around here, Melanie and anonymous admirer. I wouldn’t want to waste my brain cells.

#music

TEXT MESSAGE ✉ DAMILY

David: I did indeed. I'm glad our focus will be solely on the competition and not on much else. It'll give us an edge. Although I don't fancy having to get the heavy winter gear back on.

Emily: Well, was there ever really any question that you or I would be focused? But hopefully our teammates will at least now pull their own weight so that we can make a respectable showing. If we don't manage to meet our top three goal that we set last year, people will think that we've lost our talent without Jesse and Rachel which is obviously rubbish. Winter weather gear could at least lull our competition into a false sense of security; after all, it hides our excellent physique, so no one knows that we're very attractive on stage in costume.

TEXT MESSAGE ✉ DAMILY

David: I don't want to talk about it. At least she's kept the group running in time for our reign to begin; we owe her that much, at least. I look forward to comparing and contrasting our lists, Future Co-Leader.

Emily: Did you see her recent announcement about this year's International Competition? I'm a little disappointed that the location is DURMSTRANG when there are so many beautiful places we could be traveling instead, but I suppose at least this way our team will stay more focused.

TEXT MESSAGE ✉ DAMILY

David: Consider yourself lucky you didn't have to fight for the spotlight with anyone at home. Putting a positive spin on everything makes it easier to keep walking forward. Tina is good at maintaining the status quo, but there's so much more we could do, I agree. Imagine our combined creative forces as leaders. We'd be incredible. I'm not surprised; the louts at our school don't know quality when they see it. Find time for me and I'll make it worth it.

Emily: Does that mean there are other, lesser Hansens back home? She's felt very much like a filler leader, keeping the group from falling apart while superior versions of Rachel Berry and Jesse St. James prepare themselves to step forward. I truly believe those superior individuals are us, which is why I've cleared up my entire day for you. You're welcome.

TEXT MESSAGE ✉ DAMILY

David: Precisely - it's two for the price of one, and only triplets can compete with that. That's an interesting idea, for sure. It would show us as multi-dimensional performers. I'll keep that in mind before ruling out any of your options just for being too slow. When can you meet up to go over music, by the way? Is tomorrow too soon?

Emily: If only my mom had had a more fertile womb. Although she hardly had the attention span for one child, much less three. It would also prove we're capable leaders who can take the Frog Choir to new creative levels - something Tina herself has hardly done, although I doubt she'd appreciate us calling attention to that fact. This may come as a surprise to you but my company isn't often in high demand, so I'm sure I could find time for you.

TEXT MESSAGE ✉ DAMILY

David: No one. I consider none of them competition, especially since Mason Lannister's gone now. Ah, that selection didn't make my list purely for that reason, but I have to admit I sound pretty good on it. I'd be willing to consider it. If that's the sneak preview I'm feeling confident that this will end up working out somehow.

Emily: I'm quite glad to have the circus freaks out of the way. I don't even think they were more talented than we are, but twins always get unfair advantages. There's always the possibility of rearranging the pieces, as well. If necessary we could speed it up and show Tina not just our ability to sing but to compose as well.

TEXT MESSAGE ✉ DAMILY

David: It'll be a good test of compatibility, musically-speaking. Please, even if you and I don't work out, don't go crawling back to Leo; you deserve to perform with someone who actually appreciates you. A preview? Very well. In the spirit of pop duets, I was thinking something along the lines of "I Know What You Did Last Summer" by Camilla Cabelo and Shawn Mendes. What about you? One from your list?

Emily: If not Leo, then who do you think is the runner up in terms of male talent in Frog Choir at the moment? While that one didn't make my list, it likely would have been on there if we'd selected the number nine instead. I'm partial to Christina Aguilera and A Great Big World's 'Say Something' although that might border too much on a ballad for your tastes.

TEXT MESSAGE ✉ DAMILY

David: What can I say? In this world there's sheep and the rare wolf that stands out, and I've never been a sheep. I'm sure at least one song you pick will be, or at least I hope so, since I'm sure you're a good chance for me to captain next year as well. A match made in ambition is half the battle.

Emily: If you don't appreciate at least one of my choices then perhaps I'ver overestimated your good taste anyway, and will have to resort to luring Leo in. I'd rather be co-captain to someone who's as determined to shine as I am, however, so do try not to let me down. In fact, why don't you give me a preview of what's on your list?